Image Processing Apparatus, Control Method Thereof, and Program

ABSTRACT

Raster image data is converted into block vector image data corresponding to blocks each having a predetermined size by segmenting the raster image data into the blocks with the predetermined size and executing vectorization processing. The input raster image data is converted into a block vector image. The converted block vector image is stored in a storage means. Transfer of the image data as a processing target in the apparatus is controlled to output the raster image data obtained by rasterizing the stored block vector image data.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus whichprocesses and manages input image data, a control method thereof, and aprogram.

BACKGROUND ART

An image data input/output system is known which is connected to anetwork to process external or internal image data and output theprocessed image data.

An example of the image data input/output system is a device called anMFP (Multi Function Peripheral).

FIG. 29 shows a controller 100 which controls a conventional MFP(Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-120639). In the controller 100, aCPU 102, memory controller (MC) 103, global bus 105, image processingunit 110, and image data rasterization unit (RIP (Raster ImageProcessor)) 113 are connected through a system bus bridge (SBB) 101.

A hard disk controller (HDD Cont) 106 which controls a mass storage unit(HDD (Hard Disk Drive)) 107 for storing image data and a network I/F 109serving as an interface to transfer image data to an external devicethrough a network 108 connected to the MFP are connected to the globalbus 105. An example of the image data is image data with a page vectorformat (e.g., PDL (Page Description Language), PDF, or SVG).

The HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 107 is connected to the HDD Cont 106 and usedas an image data storage medium. Similarly, a system memory (Memory) 104is connected to the MC 103 and used as a medium to temporarily storeimage data. A DIMM is generally used as the system memory 104.

A scanner 111 and a printer 112 are connected to the image processingunit 110. Image data input from the scanner 111 is subjected topredetermined image processing by the image processing unit 110 andinput to the controller 100. Image data stored in the controller 100 issubjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing unit110 and output to the printer 112.

Image data handled by the controller 100 is input/output from/to anexternal device through the network by using a page vector format (e.g.,PDL, PDF, or SVG) and input from the scanner 111 or output to theprinter 112 by using a raster data format. Image data with a page vectorformat which is input from an external device is interpreted to aprimitive object by the CPU 102, converted into intermediate data (DLdata) called DL (Display List), and input to the RIP 113.

These image data are temporarily stored in the system memory 104 in thecontroller 100. Hence, a number of kinds of data such as raster data,page vector data (e.g., PDL), and DL data are present on the systemmemory 104.

The HDD 107 stores, as image data, image data input from the scanner 111and raster image data rendered by the RIP 113.

Of the above-described image data handled by the MFP, raster image datahas a large data size. The raster image data therefore consumes manysystem resources such as the memory size of the system memory 104 andthe bandwidths of the global bus 105 and the path between the HDD Cont106 and the HDD 107.

In addition, page vector data such as PDL data is subjected tointerpretation in the system and rasterized to DL data to generate arendering object. At this time, since the DL data is spooled on thesystem memory 104, the memory resource consumption is enormous.

Recently, user demands for the quality of output images are growing. Asone of solutions, the resolution (quality) of image data is increased.In addition to the image quality, the processing speed of systems isalso required to be high.

For these reasons, system resources necessary for satisfying theabove-described various required specifications are bloated. Hence, thechallenge is how to balance the cost performance of products.

In addition to the problem of the cost performance of products, aproblem of manpower to develop diversified and sophisticated systemsmust also be solved. To solve this problem, the product lineup mustefficiently be strengthened by forming one fundamental system in ascalable form to cope with various required specifications.

For example, there is needed a system that enables distributedprocessing by providing multiple modules such as the image processingunit 110 and RIP 113 in FIG. 29 in high-end models.

Along with the progress of paperless offices, a demand for seamlesslyhandling paper output products and electronic data also arises. For thispurpose, even an MFP serving as an I/F device between paper andelectronic data is required to have more intelligent functions ofconverting raster image data into objects, i.e., reusable object dataand speeding up image processing to cope with POD (Print On Demand).

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention has been made to solve the above-describedproblems, and has as its object to provide an image processing apparatuscapable of relaxing restrictions on the system resource of an entiresystem and improving total throughput, a control method thereof, and aprogram.

According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained byproviding an image processing apparatus for executing processing forinput image data, comprising:

input means for inputting image data;

output means for outputting the image data;

first conversion means for converting raster image data into blockvector image data corresponding to blocks each having a predeterminedsize by segmenting the raster image data into the blocks with thepredetermined size and executing vectorization processing;

storage means for storing the block vector image data;

rasterization means for rasterizing the block vector image data into theraster image data; and

image data transfer control means for controlling transfer of the imagedata as a processing target in the apparatus so as to cause the firstconversion means to convert the raster image data input from the inputmeans into the block vector image data, cause the storage means to storethe converted block vector image data, and cause the output means tooutput the raster image data obtained by causing the rasterization meansto rasterize the block vector image data stored in the storage means.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises secondconversion means for converting page vector image data into block vectorimage data corresponding to blocks each having a predetermined size,

wherein the image data transfer control means controls transfer of theimage data as the processing target in the apparatus so as to

cause the first conversion means to execute conversion to the blockvector image data when the image data input from the input means israster image data,

cause the second conversion means to execute conversion to the blockvector image data when the image data input from the input means is pagevector image data,

cause the storage means to store the block vector image data convertedby using one of the first conversion means and the second conversionmeans, and

cause the output means to output the raster image data obtained byexecuting the rasterization means for the block vector image data storedin the storage means.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises furthercomprises third conversion means for converting block vector image datacorresponding to one page into page vector image data representing thewhole page,

wherein the image data transfer control means controls transfer of theimage data as the processing target in the apparatus so as to

cause the output means to output raster image data obtained by executingthe rasterization means for the block vector image data stored in thestorage means when it is determined that a format of the image data tobe output from the output means is a raster image data format, and

cause the output means to output page vector image data obtained byexecuting the third conversion means for the block vector image datastored in the storage means when it is determined that the format of theimage data to be output from the output means is a vector image dataformat.

In a preferred embodiment, the input means includes an image processingunit which inputs raster image data from a scanner unit, and aninterface which inputs page vector image data transmitted from anexternal device.

In a preferred embodiment, the output means includes an image processingunit which outputs the raster image data to a printer unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the output means includes an interface unitwhich outputs the page vector image data to an external device.

In a preferred embodiment, the image data transfer control meanscomprises bus arbitration means, connected to each of the means througha bus, for executing arbitration control of the bus to be used totransfer the image data as the processing target in accordance with theimage data as the processing target.

In a preferred embodiment, the image data transfer control meanscontrols transfer of the image data as the processing target in theapparatus so as to store, in the storage means in advance, the blockvector image data generated by the first conversion means and pagevector image data corresponding to the block vector image data inassociation with each other.

In a preferred embodiment, in converting the page vector image datacontaining a curve object into the block vector image data correspondingto the blocks having the predetermined size,

the second conversion means comprises:

calculation means for calculating a convex polygon including the curveobject;

evaluation means for evaluating whether the convex polygon calculated bythe calculation means crosses a side of a block of interest;

intersection point calculation means for calculating an intersectionpoint between the curve object and a side of interest of the block ofinterest on the basis of an evaluation result of the evaluation means;and

segmentation means for segmenting the curve object into blocks on thebasis of the intersection point calculated by the intersection pointcalculation means.

In a preferred embodiment, in converting the page vector image datacontaining an image object into the block vector image data bysegmenting the page vector image data into the blocks having thepredetermined size,

the second conversion means comprises:

comparison means for comparing a resolution of the image object with apredetermined resolution;

first segmentation means for segmenting the image object extending overa plurality of blocks at each block boundary of the plurality of blockswhen the resolution of the image object is not more than thepredetermined resolution as a result of comparison by the comparisonmeans; and

second segmentation means for segmenting the image object extending overa plurality of blocks so that a part of the image object beyond eachblock boundary of the plurality of blocks partially overlaps when theresolution of the image object is higher than the predeterminedresolution as the result of comparison by the comparison means.

In a preferred embodiment, the rasterization means

1) rasterizes the block vector image data into raster image data byusing a first interpolation method of interpolating the image object onthe basis of a pixel of interest of the image object included in theblock vector image data when the block vector image data as theprocessing target is segmented by the first segmentation means, and

2) rasterizes the block vector image data into raster image data byusing a second interpolation method of interpolating the image object onthe basis of a pixel of interest and a neighboring pixel of the imageobject included in the block vector image data when the block vectorimage data as the processing target is segmented by the secondsegmentation means.

In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined resolution is a resolutionof the raster image data generated by the rasterization means.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises write controlmeans for controlling write of the block vector image data in thestorage means,

wherein when the block vector image data contains an object, the writecontrol means executes the write of the block vector image data of ablock containing the object in the storage means, and

when the block vector image data contains no object, the write controlmeans inhibits the write of the block vector image data of a blockcontaining no object in the storage means.

In a preferred embodiment, the write control means generates a blockmanagement table in which block identification information to identify aposition of the block vector image data as the processing target andobject identification information indicating presence/absence of anobject in the block vector image data are managed for each block andcontrols the write of the block vector image data as the processingtarget in the storage means by looking up the block management table.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises:

setting means for setting set block identification informationindicating a position of block vector image data as a read target fromthe storage means;

read means for reading out block identification information of blockvector image data which exists in the storage means;

comparison means for comparing the set block identification informationset by the setting means with the read block identification informationread out by the read means; and

generation means for generating the block vector image data on the basisof a comparison result of the comparison means,

wherein when the set block identification information and the read blockidentification information are discontinuous as the result of comparisonby the comparison means, the generation means generates block vectorimage data containing no object corresponding to the discontinuous part.

In a preferred embodiment, the rasterization means includes a pluralityof sub rasterization units to process a plurality of block vector imagedata in parallel.

In a preferred embodiment,

the rasterization means comprises a font cache unit common to theplurality of sub rasterization units, the font cache unit comprising afont cache memory, and a lock flag register to store a lock flagrepresenting that each of the plurality of sub rasterization units isreferring to the font cache memory.

In a preferred embodiment, when rasterized font data corresponding tofont data contained in the block vector image data as the processingtarget in the sub rasterization unit is present in the font cache unit,the rasterization means sets the lock flag of a corresponding lock flagregister, and when read of the rasterized font data is ended, therasterization means clears the lock flag.

In a preferred embodiment, in causing the sub rasterization unit torasterize font data as a rasterization target into raster data, if thefont cache memory has no free space to rasterize the raster data, therasterization means replaces the rasterized font data on the font cachememory without no lock flag set in the lock flag register with the fontdata as the rasterization target.

In a preferred embodiment, a control signal line to control acorresponding lock flag register is connected to each of the pluralityof sub rasterization units.

According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained byproviding a control method of an image processing apparatus forexecuting processing for input image data, comprising:

a first conversion step of converting raster image data into blockvector image data corresponding to blocks each having a predeterminedsize by segmentation into the blocks with the predetermined size andvectorization processing;

a storage step of storing the block vector image data in storage means;

a rasterization step of rasterizing the block vector image data into theraster image data; and

an image data transfer control step of controlling transfer of the imagedata as a processing target in the apparatus so as to convert the inputraster image data into the block vector image data in the firstconversion step, cause the storage means to store the converted blockvector image data, and cause an output unit to output the raster imagedata obtained by rasterizing, in the rasterization step, the blockvector image data stored in the storage means.

According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained byproviding a program which causes a computer to execute control of animage processing apparatus for executing processing for input imagedata, characterized by causing the computer to execute:

a first conversion step of converting raster image data into blockvector image data corresponding to blocks each having a predeterminedsize by segmentation into the blocks with the predetermined size andvectorization processing;

a storage step of storing the block vector image data in storage means;

a rasterization step of rasterizing the block vector image data into theraster image data; and

a control step of executing control so as to convert the input rasterimage data into the block vector image data in the first conversionstep, cause the storage means to store the converted block vector imagedata, and cause an output unit to output the raster image data obtainedby rasterizing, in the rasterization step, the block vector image datastored in the storage means.

According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained byproviding an image processing apparatus for executing processing forinput image data, comprising:

input means for inputting image data;

output means for outputting the image data;

second conversion means for converting page vector image data into blockvector image data corresponding to blocks each having a predeterminedsize;

storage means for storing the block vector image data;

rasterization means for rasterizing the block vector image data into theraster image data; and

image data transfer control means for controlling transfer of the imagedata as a processing target in the apparatus so as to cause the secondconversion means to convert the page vector image data input from theinput means into the block vector image data, cause the storage means tostore the converted block vector image data, and cause the output meansto output the raster image data obtained by causing the rasterizationmeans to rasterize the block vector image data stored in the storagemeans.

According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained byproviding a control method of an image processing apparatus forexecuting processing for input image data, comprising:

a second conversion step of converting input page vector image data intoblock vector image data corresponding to blocks each having apredetermined size;

a storage step of storing the block vector image data in storage means;

a rasterization step of rasterizing the block vector image data into theraster image data; and

an image data transfer control step of controlling transfer of the imagedata as a processing target in the apparatus so as to convert the inputpage vector image data into the block vector image data in the secondconversion step, cause the storage means to store the converted blockvector image data, and cause an output unit to output the raster imagedata obtained by rasterizing, in the rasterization step, the blockvector image data stored in the storage means.

According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained byproviding a program which causes a computer to execute control of animage processing apparatus for executing processing for input imagedata, characterized by causing the computer to execute:

a second conversion step of converting input page vector image data intoblock vector image data corresponding to blocks each having apredetermined size;

a storage step of storing the block vector image data in storage means;

a rasterization step of rasterizing the block vector image data into theraster image data; and

a control step of executing control so as to convert the input pagevector image data into the block vector image data in the secondconversion step, cause the storage means to store the converted blockvector image data, and cause an output unit to output the raster imagedata obtained by rasterizing, in the rasterization step, the blockvector image data stored in the storage means.

According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained byproviding an image processing apparatus for processing input image data,comprising:

input means for inputting image data of one of a raster format and avector format;

conversion means for converting the image data of one of the rasterformat and the vector format input by the input means into block vectorimage data;

storage means for storing the block vector image data converted by theconversion means; and

output means for executing predetermined processing for the block vectorimage data stored in the storage means and outputting the image datawhich has undergone the processing.

According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained byproviding a control method of an image processing apparatus forprocessing input image data, comprising:

an input step of inputting image data of one of a raster format and, avector format;

a conversion step of converting the image data of one of the rasterformat and the vector format input in the input step into block vectorimage data;

a storage step of storing, in storage means, the block vector image dataconverted in the conversion step; and

an output step of executing predetermined processing for the blockvector image data stored in the storage means and outputting the imagedata which has undergone the processing.

According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained byproviding a program which causes a computer to execute control of animage processing apparatus for processing input image data,characterized by causing the computer to execute:

an input step of inputting image data of one of a raster format and avector format;

a conversion step of converting the image data of one of the rasterformat and the vector format input in the input step into block vectorimage data;

a storage step of storing, in storage means, the block vector image dataconverted in the conversion step, and

an output step of executing predetermined processing for the blockvector image data stored in the storage means and outputting the imagedata which has undergone the processing.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, andtogether with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing details of the controller of an MFPincluded in an image processing system according to the first embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the data flow of a copy operation ofthe image processing system according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the data flow of a print operation ofthe image processing system according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the data flow of a transmissionoperation of the image processing system according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing executed by a raster/tilevector conversion unit according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of document data transferred from anetwork according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a description example of page vector dataaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of tile vector data according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view showing a description example of tile vector dataaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing executed by a tile/page vectorconversion unit according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing executed by an image datarasterization unit according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the data flow of a transmissionoperation of an image processing system according to the secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of tile vector data according tothe third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a view showing a description example of page vector dataaccording to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a view showing a description example of tile vector dataaccording to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 16A to 16C are views for explaining curve object tile segmentationaccording to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing details of curve object segmentationprocessing according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing details of processing in step S1802according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of processing in step S1803according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a view for explaining image object tile segmentationaccording to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing details of image object segmentationprocessing according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 22A to 22G are views showing a detailed example of image objectsegmentation processing according to the fourth embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing details of image object rasterization instep S77 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 24A and 24B are views for explaining the outline of processingaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing tile vector data write processingaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing tile vector data read processingaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing the detailed arrangement of an imagedata rasterization unit according to the sixth embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 28 is a view showing an operation example of a font cache accordingto the sixth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventionalimage processing system.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment [Outline of MFP Apparatus]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing details of the controller of an MFPincluded in an image processing system according to the first embodimentof the present invention.

In a controller 1 that controls an MFP 1000, a CPU 3, memory controller(MC) 4, global bus 6, tile/page vector conversion unit 13, raster/tilevector conversion unit 14, image processing unit 15, and image datarasterization unit (RIP) 18 are connected through a system bus bridge(SBB) 2.

The RIP 18 can rasterize tile vector data and incorporates a pluralityof sub image data rasterization units (μRIPs) 18 a to 18 d.

A system memory (Memory) 5 is connected to the MC 4 and used as a mediumto temporarily store image data.

A hard disk controller (HDD Cont) 7 which controls an HDD 8 for storingimage data, an operation unit controller 9 which controls an operationunit 10, and a network I/F 11 serving as an interface to transfer imagedata to an external device through a network 12 connected to the MFP1000 are connected to the global bus 6.

The operation unit 10 is implemented by, e.g., a touch panel formed froman LCD or the like. The operation unit 10 has an operation screen toinput various kinds of processing execution instructions and displayprocessing results according to the first embodiment and embodiments tobe described later. The user can implement various kinds of operationsthrough the operation screen.

The image processing unit 15 is connected to the raster/tile vectorconversion unit 14. A scanner 16 and a printer 17 are connected to theimage processing unit 15.

The RIP 18 is connected to the SBB 2. A local memory (Local Memory) 19to store data output from the RIP 18 is connected to the RIP 18.

Image data handled by the controller 1 is input/output from/to anexternal device as image data with a vector format and input from thescanner 16 or output to the printer 17 as image data with a rasterformat.

Example of the vector format is PDL, PDF, and SVG. Image data having thevector format will also simply be referred to as vector data, and imagedata having the raster format will also simply be referred to as rasterdata hereinafter.

In the controller 1, scan data (raster data) is converted into tilevector data by the raster/tile vector conversion unit 14. Tile DL dataobtained from the tile vector data by processing of the RIP 18 is storedin the local memory 19 connected to the RIP 18.

Hence, only two kinds of images, i.e., page vector data and tile vectordata are stored on the system memory 5. That is, raster data and DL datawith a large image size need not be stored in the system memory 5. Forthis reason, the image data area that must be ensured on the systemmemory 5 can be reduced.

DL data output from the RIP 18 is segmented into tiles and stored astile DL data. The tile DL data can be stored by using a very smallmemory capacity as compared to conventional page DL data for each page.Hence, the local memory 19 can be implemented as an on-chip memory, andthe memory latency can be reduced. As a result, the tile datarasterization speed can be increased.

Additionally, since only tile vector data needs to be stored on the HDD8 as image data, bottlenecks of the access speed to the HDD 8 arerelaxed, and data processing can be speeded up. Since processing is donefor each tile, the cost of the RIP 18 can also be reduced.

If a higher processing capability is demanded, the processing capabilitycan be made changeable by implementing the plurality of μRIPs 18 a to 18d in parallel in the RIP 18. With this arrangement, the processingcapability of the controller 1 can be adjusted simply so that a systemcapable of easily ensuring scalability can be formed.

In the present invention, the network I/F 11 and scanner 16 function asimage input units to input image data to the controller 1. The networkI/F 11 and printer 17 function as image output units to output imagedata.

The data flows of various kinds of processing which can be implementedby the MFP 1000 will be described below.

[Copy]

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the data flow of a copy operation ofthe image processing system according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

This data flow is implemented by causing the various kinds ofconstituent elements included in the MFP 1000 to cooperate under thecontrol of the CPU 3.

Arrows in FIG. 2 indicate various kinds of data flows. Especially, asolid arrow indicates the data flow of raster data (raster image data),a broken arrow indicates the data flow of tile vector data (tile vectorimage data), and an alternate long and short dashed arrow indicates thedata flow of page vector data (page vector image data). Page vector dataand tile vector data will be described later in detail in associationwith the tile/page vector conversion unit 13.

(S21): When the user instructs the start of copy from the operation unit10, the scanner 16 starts a document image reading operation. An image(R, G, and B images) input from the scanner 16 to the image processingunit 15 is frequency-converted in synchronism with the clock of theimage processing unit 15 and subjected to, e.g., the followingprocessing.

1) Correction processing of scanner properties such as the line pitchand chromatic aberration of the CCD sensor in the scanner 16

2) Input image data quality correction processing such as color spacecorrection and sharpness correction

3) Image manipulation processing such as frame removal and book frameremoval of input image data

(S22): When image processing by the image processing unit 15 is ended,the image data output from the image processing unit 15 is input to theraster/tile vector conversion unit 14 and subjected to tile vectorconversion processing. That is, the raster/tile vector conversion unit14 segments the image data into blocks (tiles) each having apredetermined size. Vectorization processing is executed for raster datain each block to generate vector data (tile vector data (block vectordata)) of each block (tile).

The generated tile vector data is subjected to bus arbitration by theSBB 2 to acquire a bus right to the system memory 5 and stored in thesystem memory 5 through the MC 4 (when a data path is connected via theSBB 2, a procedure of acquiring a bus right by bus arbitration isfundamentally executed, though the procedure will be omitted in thefollowing description of the flow).

(S23): The tile vector data stored in the system memory 5 is stored inthe HDD 8 through the MC 4, SBB 2, and HDD Cont 7. When tile vector datais stored in the HDD 8, a document having a plurality of pages can becopied and output in a different order of pages by sorting or stored inthe MFP 1000 as archive image data.

(S24): The tile vector data stored in the HDD 8 is read out by the HDDCont 7 in accordance with the timing of printer ready sent from aprinter CPU (not shown) in the printer 17. Then, the data is temporarilystored in the system memory 5 through the SBB 2 and MC 4.

If the readout tile vector data is directly output from the HDD 8 to theprinter 17, synchronous output to the printer 17 cannot be guaranteedbecause of limitations of the access speed of the HDD 8 or congestion onthe global bus 6. When page vector data is spooled in the system memory5 before synchronous data transfer to the printer 17, real-timethroughput is guaranteed.

(S25): The tile vector data stored in the system memory 5 is read out bythe MC 4 in accordance with an activation signal sent from the printer17 to the controller 1, and transferred to the RIP 18 through the SBB 2.

The RIP 18 analyzes the tile vector data and generates (interprets) arendering object (tile DL data) of each tile. The generated tile DL datais temporarily stored in the local memory 19.

The RIP 18 reads out the tile DL data from the local memory 19,rasterizes the tile DL data to raster data (tile raster data) for eachtile, and outputs the raster data.

In the first embodiment, the four sub image data rasterization units(μRIPs) 18 a to 18 d are provided in the RIP 18, as described above. Thecontroller 1 can operate the μRIPs 18 a to 18 d in parallel to executetile vector data rasterization at a high speed.

The vector data rasterization time dominates over the total performanceof the image processing system. The performance can be improved byincreasing the number of μRIPs. Hence, when the configuration of thepresent invention is employed, a scalable system can easily be formed byincreasing or decreasing the number of μRIPs or the number of μRIPs tobe operated.

(S26): The tile raster data generated by the RIP 18 is transferred tothe image processing unit 15 and subjected to, e.g., the followingprocessing.

1) Conversion processing from the tile raster data into page raster data

2) Correction processing of the color or density of the output image inaccordance with the printer characteristics

3) Tone conversion processing of converting the tone of the output imageby image data quantization

4) Frequency conversion processing to output the image in synchronismwith a printer I/F clock

The image processing unit 15 executes the image processing operations 1)to 4) to obtain raster data. The raster data is transferred to theprinter 17, printed on a printing medium, and output.

[Print]

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the data flow of a print operation ofthe image processing system according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

This data flow is implemented by causing the various kinds ofconstituent elements included in the MFP 1000 to cooperate under thecontrol of the CPU 3.

(S31): The network I/F 11 connected to the global bus 6 receives pagevector data from an external device connected to the network 12. Thepage vector data is transferred to the system memory 5 through the MC 4connected to the SBB 2.

(S32): The page vector data stored in the system memory 5 is read out bythe tile/page vector conversion unit 13 and subjected to tile vectorconversion processing. More specifically, the tile/page vectorconversion unit segments each object that exists in the page vector datainto objects each fitted in a block (tile) with a predetermined size.With this processing, vector data (tile vector data) of each tile isgenerated.

(S33): The generated tile vector data is stored in the system memory 5again through the SBB 2.

(S34): The tile vector data stored in the system memory 5 is stored inthe HDD 8 through the MC 4, SBB 2; and HDD Cont 7. When tile vector datais stored in the HDD 8, a document having a plurality of pages can becopied and output in a different order of pages by sorting or stored inthe MFP 1000 as archive image data.

(S35): The tile vector data stored in the HDD 8 is read out by the HDDCont 7 in accordance with the timing of printer ready sent from a CPU(not shown) in the printer 17. Then, the data is temporarily stored inthe system memory 5 through the SBB 2 and MC 4.

If the readout tile vector data is directly output from the HDD 8 to theprinter 17, synchronous output to the printer 17 cannot be guaranteedbecause of limitations of the access speed of the HDD 8 or congestion onthe global bus 6. When vector image data corresponding to one page isspooled in the system memory 5 before synchronous data transfer to theprinter 17, real-time throughput is guaranteed.

(S36): The tile vector data stored in the system memory 5 is read out bythe MC 4 in accordance with an activation signal sent from the printer17 to the controller 1, and transferred to the RIP 18 through the SBB 2.

The RIP 18 analyzes the tile vector data and generates (interprets) arendering object (tile DL data) of each tile. The generated tile DL datais temporarily stored in the local memory 19.

The RIP 18 reads out the tile DL data from the local memory 19,rasterizes the tile DL data to raster data (tile raster data) for eachtile, and outputs the raster data.

(S37): The tile raster data generated by the RIP 18 is transferred tothe image processing unit 15 and subjected to, e.g., the followingprocessing.

1) Conversion processing from the tile raster data into page raster data

2) Correction processing of the color or density of the output image inaccordance with the printer characteristics

3) Halftoning processing of converting the tone of the output image byimage data quantization

4) Frequency conversion processing to output the image in synchronismwith a printer I/F clock

The image processing unit 15 executes the image processing operations 1)to 4) to obtain raster data. The raster data is transferred to theprinter 17, printed on a printing medium, and output.

[Transmission]

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the data flow of a transmissionoperation of the image processing system according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

This data flow is implemented by causing the various kinds ofconstituent elements included in the MFP 1000 to cooperate under thecontrol of the CPU 3.

As for the data flow until image data is stored in the HDD 8, the flowof raster data is the same as in [Copy] while the flow of page vectordata input from an external device on the network 12 is the same as in[Print], and a description thereof will be omitted.

Image data may be stored in the HDD 8 in accordance with a storageinstruction from the user or automatically left in the HDD 8 in [Copy]or [Print] processing. Transmission processing will be described whichis executed in accordance with an instruction to transmit image datadesignated by the user from image data stored in the HDD 8 in theabove-described way.

(S41): The tile vector data stored in the HDD 8 is read out, through theSBB 2, by the HDD Cont 7 connected to the global bus 6 and istemporarily stored in the system memory 5.

(S42): The tile vector data stored in the system memory 5 is read out bythe tile/page vector conversion unit 13 and subjected to tile vectorconversion processing. More specifically, objects segmented into blocksare concatenated to generate page vector data that describes the objectsof a whole page. That is, page vector data representing the vector dataof a whole page is generated from the tile vector data of one page.

(S43): The generated page vector data is stored in the system memory 5again through the SBB 2.

(S44): The page vector data stored in the system memory 5 is read outfrom the network I/F 11 connected to the global bus 6 and transmitted toan external device connected to the network 12.

As in the present invention, when tile vector data are returned to pagevector data to decrease the number of objects contained in the data atthe time of transmission to an external device, the transmission dataamount can be reduced. In addition, the data can easily be convertedinto a general format such as PDF or SVG.

In the present invention, raster data input from the scanner 16 can alsobe transmitted to an external device. In this case, the raster data ispreferably converted into a page vector and then transmitted to theexternal device.

[Raster/Tile Vector Conversion Unit]

The processing of the raster/tile vector conversion unit 14 will bedescribed next in detail.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the raster/tilevector conversion unit according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

(Step S51: Block Selection (Block Segmentation: BS) Processing)

Raster data (image data) input from the image processing unit 15 issegmented into text/line art regions containing a text or line art,halftone photo regions, image regions having indefinite shapes, and thelike. A text/line art region is further segmented into text regionsmainly containing a text and line art regions mainly containing, e.g., atable or graphic. A line art region is segmented into table regions andgraphic regions.

In the first embodiment, connected pixels of an image in the processtarget are detected. Data is segmented into the regions of respectiveattributes by using feature amounts such as the shape, size, and pixeldensity of the circumscribed rectangular region of the connected pixels.However, any other region segmentation method may be used.

A text region is segmented into rectangular blocks (text regionrectangular blocks), i.e., the blocks of paragraphs. A line art regionis segmented into rectangular blocks of individual objects (table regionrectangular blocks and line art region rectangular blocks) such astables and graphics.

A photo region expressed by halftone is segmented into rectangularblocks of objects such as image region rectangular blocks and backgroundregion rectangular blocks.

Each separated region is further segmented into regions (tiles) having apredetermined size. Each tile is vectorized by the next vectorizationprocessing.

(Step S52: Vectorization Processing)

Image data of each attribute region is converted into vector data byvectorization processing (vectorized). For example, vectorizationmethods (a) to (f) to be described below are present.

(a) When an attribute region is a text region, code conversion of thetext image is executed by OCR. Alternatively, the size, style, and fontof each character are recognized to convert the character into font datawhich is visually faithful to the character obtained by scanning thedocument.

(b) When an attribute region is a text region, and recognition by OCR isinsufficient, the outline of each character is traced to convert thedata into a format that expresses outline information (outline) asconnected line segments.

In the first embodiment, one of the methods (a) and (b) is used for atext region in accordance with an OCR result. However, the presentinvention is not limited to this. For example, only the method (b) maybe used for all text regions without using the method (a).

(c) When an attribute region is a graphic region, the outline of thegraphic object is traced to convert the data into a format thatexpresses outline information as connected line segments.

(d) Outline information of the line segment format in the method (b) or(c) is fitted by, e.g., a Bezier function to convert the data intofunction information.

(e) The shape of each graphic is recognized from the outline informationof the graphic object in the method (c) to convert the data into graphicdefinition information such as a circle, rectangle, or polygon.

(f) When an attribute region is a graphic region containing an object ofa table format in a specific region, rule lines and frame lines arerecognized to convert the data into document format information with apredetermined format.

(Step 553: Tile Vector Data Generation Processing)

In correspondence with each data that is converted into commanddefinition format information such as format code information, graphicinformation, or function information in the methods (a) to (f) in stepS52, tile vector data is generated by adding a vector type todiscriminate between page vector data and tile vector data in thecontroller 1 and header information to discriminate coordinateinformation such as a coordinate position of the tile in the page. Inthis way, tile vector data added various kinds of information for eachtile is output to the SBB 2.

(Step S54: End Determination Processing)

The presence/absence of raster data as a processing target isdetermined. If raster data as a processing target is present (NO in stepS54), the flow returns to step S51. If no raster data as a processingtarget is present (YES in step S54), the processing is ended.

[Tile/Page Vector Conversion Unit]

Before details of the processing of the tile/page vector conversion unit13 are described, document data (image data) as a processing target willbe described.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of document data transferred fromthe network according to the first embodiment of the present invention

In FIG. 6, a device coordinate system is defined in which the widthwisedirection of document data 801 is defined as an “X” direction, and thelongitudinal direction is defined as a “Y” direction. The document data801 can be page vector data, tile vector data, page vector data (tilevector data) containing raster data expression, or raster data.

A description example of the contents of the document data 801 formedfrom page vector data of the first embodiment will be described withreference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a description example of page vector dataaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, reference numeral 901 denotes a document settinginstruction part related to setting of entire document data; 902, a textrendering instruction part; and 903, a graphic rendering instructionpart.

Details of the rendering instruction parts will be described.

In the document setting instruction part 901, C1 to C5 are commandsrelated to the entire document. Only one set of the commands C1 to C5 ispresent in a document.

Examples of the commands related to the entire document data are acharacter set command (font designation command), scalable font command(a command to designate whether to use a scalable font), and hard resetcommand (a command to reset the preceding printer use environment).

C1 is a document set start command. C2 is a command to indicate theoutput paper size of document data. In this case, A4 is set. C3 is acommand to indicate the direction of document data. “Portrait” and“landscape” can be selected, and “portrait” (PORT) is set in this case.

C4 is a command to indicate the type of document data, i.e., whether thedocument data contains page vectors or tile vectors. In this case,“page” (PAGE) is set. C5 is a document set end command.

C6 to C22 contained in the text rendering instruction part 902 andgraphic rendering instruction part 903 are various kinds of commands tooutput the document data.

C6 is a command to indicate the start of the page. C7 is a command toselect the font type of a text. In this case, a font set numbered “1” isset. C8 is a command to set the font size. In this case, “10 points” isset.

C9 is a command to set the text color and sequentially indicates theluminances of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color components. Theluminances are quantized in, e.g., 256 levels from 0 to 255. In thiscase, {0,0,0} is set. C10 is a command to indicate the coordinates ofthe text rendering start position. A coordinate position (X,Y) isdesignated on the basis of the origin that is set at the upper leftcorner of the page. In this case, text rendering is set to start from aposition {10,5} of the page. C11 is a command to indicate the characterstring (XXXX . . . YY . . . ) to be actually rendered.

C12 is a command to indicate the filling color of a plane in graphicrendering. The color is designated like the text color. C13 is a commandto designate the line color of graphic rendering. C14 is a command toindicate the coordinates of the graphic rendering position.

C15 is a command to designate the radius of an arc to be rendered. Inthis case, “10” coordinate units are designated. C16 is a command torender a closed arc. The two parameters in the command indicate therendering start angle and end angle in rendering an arc. Verticalinformation is defined to 0°. In this case, rendering of an arc from 0°to 90° is designated.

C17 to C21 are commands to designate, e.g., the plane and line colorsand the position in graphic rendering, like the commands C12 to C16. C22is a command to indicate the end of the page.

A case will be described below with reference to FIG. 8 in which thedocument data 801 is tile vector data.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of tile vector data according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows an example of tile vector data (document data 1001)obtained by segmenting the document data 801 (page vector data) in FIG.6 into blocks (tiles).

In FIG. 8, a device coordinate system is defined in which the widthwisedirection of document data 1001 is defined as an “X” direction, and thelongitudinal direction is defined as a “Y” direction. The numbersarrayed in the X direction in FIG. 8 indicate X-direction tile IDs. Thenumbers arrayed in the Y direction indicate Y-direction tile IDs. A to Drepresent tile data located at positions of tile IDs=(0,0), (1,0),(2,4), and (1,5).

A description example of the contents of the document data 1001 formedfrom tile vector data of the first embodiment will be described withreference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a description example of tile vector dataaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, reference numeral 1101 denotes a document settinginstruction part related to setting of entire document data; 1102, awhole rendering instruction part; 1103 to 1106, rendering instructionparts of the tiles A, B, C, and D; 1107 and 1108, a text renderinginstruction part and a graphic rendering instruction part of the tile D.

Details of the rendering instructions will be described.

In the document setting instruction part 1101, C1 to C5 are commandsrelated to the entire document. Only one set of the commands C1 to C5 ispresent in a document.

Examples of the commands related to the entire document data are acharacter set command (font designation command), scalable font command(a command to designate whether to use a scalable font), and hard resetcommand (a command to reset the preceding printer use environment).

C1 is a document set start command. C2 is a command to indicate theoutput paper size of document data. In this case, A4 is set. C3 is acommand to indicate the direction of document data. “Portrait” and“landscape” can be selected, and “portrait” (PORT) is set in this case.

C4 is a command to indicate the type of document data, i.e., whether thedocument data contains page vectors or tile vectors. In this case,“tile” (TILE) is set. C5 is a document set end command.

C6 to C500 contained in the rendering instruction part 1102 are variouskinds of commands to output the document data.

C6 is a command to indicate the start of the page. C7 is a command toindicate the start of the rendering command of the tile A in FIG. 8. Thetwo parameters in TileStart(0,0) indicate the tile ID in the documentdata. C8 is a command to indicate the end of the rendering command ofthe tile A. If no object is present in a tile, as in the tile A, onlythe commands to indicate the start and end of the tile are described.

C9 is a command to indicate the start of the rendering command of thetile B. C10 is a command to select the font type of a text. In thiscase, a font set numbered “1” is set. C11 is a command to set the fontsize. In this case, “10 points” is set.

C12 is a command to set the text color and sequentially indicates theluminances of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color components. Theluminances are quantized in, e.g., 256 levels from 0 to 255. In thiscase, {0,0,0} is set. C13 is a command to indicate the coordinates ofthe text rendering start position. A coordinate position (X,Y) isdesignated on the basis of the origin that is set at the upper leftcorner of the tile. In this case, text rendering is set to start from aposition {0,5} of the tile. C14 is a command to indicate the characterstring (XXXX) to be actually rendered. C15 is a command to indicate theend of the rendering command of the tile B.

C100 is a command to indicate the start of the rendering command of thetile C in FIG. 8. C101 is a command to indicate the filling color of aplane in graphic rendering. The color is designated like the text color.C102 is a command to designate the line color of graphic rendering. C103is a command to indicate the coordinates of the graphic renderingposition.

C104 is a command to designate the radius of an arc to be rendered. Inthis case, “10” coordinate units are designated. C105 is a command torender a closed arc. The two parameters in the command indicate therendering start angle and end angle in rendering an arc. Verticalinformation is defined to 0°. In this case, rendering of an arc from 0°to 90° is designated. C106 is a command to indicate the end of therendering command of the tile C.

C120 is a command to indicate the start of the rendering command of thetile D in FIG. 8. C121 to C130 are commands to designate, e.g., the fonttype, color, and size of a text in the text rendering instruction, likethe commands C9 to C15, and, e.g., the plane and line colors and theposition of a graphic in the graphic rendering instruction, like thecommands C100 to C106. C131 is a command to indicate the end of therendering command of the tile D.

C500 is a command to indicate the end of the page.

The processing of the tile/page vector conversion unit 13 will bedescribed next in detail with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the tile/pagevector conversion unit according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

The tile/page vector conversion unit 13 can perform mutual conversionbetween page vector data and tile vector data. The tile/page vectorconversion unit 13 may includes a conversion unit which converts pagevector data into tile vector data and a conversion unit which convertstile vector data into page vector data.

(Step S601)

A command sequence corresponding to the header field is read out fromdocument data (vector data) stored in the system memory 5 to analyze thecommand part related to the entire document data as a processing target.More specifically, the contents of a part corresponding to C1 to C5 inFIG. 7 or 9 are analyzed.

(Step S602)

It is determined on the basis of the analysis result whether thedocument data type is page vector data. If the data type is page vectordata (YES in step S602), the flow advances to step S603 to execute pagevector→tile vector conversion. If the data type is not page vector data,i.e., the data type is tile vector data (NO in step S602), the flowadvances to step S610 to execute tile vector→page vector conversion.

(Step S603)

A command sequence describing an object is read out from the page vectordata.

(Step S604)

The command sequence read out in step S603 is analyzed to determinewhether the size of the described object is larger than the desiredsegmented tile size. That is, it is determined whether the object needsto be further segmented.

If the object size is smaller than the desired segmented tile size (NOin step S604), the flow skips step S605 and advances to step S606. Ifthe object size is larger than the desired segmented tile size (YES instep S604), the flow advances to step S605.

(Step S605)

The input object is segmented here.

In, e.g., the page vector data shown in FIG. 7, the text renderinginstruction part 902 describes the rendering instruction of the wholecharacter string including (XXXX . . . YY . . . ). To the contrary, forexample, the rendering instruction 1104 for the tile B in the tilevector data shown in FIG. 9 describes only the rendering instruction ofthe character string “XXXX”.

Hence, in tile vector data, if a character string extends over aplurality of tiles, the character string is segmented midway (at a tileboundary). A succeeding character string generated by segmentation isdescribed in the next tile as another character string. If thedescription is not fitted in the second tile, the character stringcontained in the tiles is segmented in a similar manner. This processingis repeated until all segmented character strings are fitted in the tilesize. Where to segment the character string is determined by calculatingthe number of characters fitted in a tile on the basis of the font typeand size and extracting characters in that number.

For example, for the text rendering instruction part 902 of the pagevector data shown in FIG. 7, the number of characters fitted in a tileis calculated as four. In this case, the description of the command C11in FIG. 7 is converted into the description of the command C13 containedin the rendering instruction for the tile B.

In the graphic rendering instruction part 903, the graphic (the ¾ circlein FIG. 6) described by the commands C17 to C21 is not fitted in a tilecontained in the tile vector data in FIG. 8. For this reason, thisgraphic is segmented into a plurality of tiles including the tile D. Ingraphic segmentation, a portion that contacts the boundary region oftiles is calculated on the basis of the rendering position, shape, andsize of the graphic. A closed region formed from the boundary and thepartial region of the graphic in the tile is re-described as a newgraphic.

Of the graphic (the ¾ circle in FIG. 6) described in the graphicrendering instruction part 903 in FIG. 7, the lower left partial regionis converted into a description of a ¼ circle indicated by the commandsC126 to C130 of the graphic rendering instruction part 1108. Each of theremaining regions is also converted into a description of a ¼ circlewith a similar shape.

(Step S606)

In the command description of the input object, a coordinate position isconverted into a rendering position in the tile vector data. In the pagevector data, a position from the upper left corner of the page isdescribed. In the tile vector data, however, the position isre-described to a position from the upper left corner of a tile. When arendering position is described by coordinates in a tile, the datalength required for coordinate calculation can be reduced.

(Step S607)

When command description conversion of one object is ended, it isdetermined whether command description conversion of all objects in thepage is ended. If conversion is not ended (NO in step S607), the flowreturns to step S603 to repeat the processing in steps S603 to S607 forthe next command. If conversion is ended (YES in step S607), the flowadvances to step S608.

(Step S608)

When description conversion of all commands is ended, the tiles in thetile vector data segmented as shown in FIG. 8 are written in the systemmemory 5 as tile vector data sequentially from the upper left corner ofthe page. The tile vector data is described in a format that addscommands to indicate the start and end of each tile to the commandsdescribed in steps S605 and S606.

In writing the first command of the page, a tile vector containing noobject is generated in the system memory 5. An example of a tile vectorcontaining no object is the tile A in FIG. 8. The tile A is described bythe rendering instruction part 1103 (FIG. 9) containing only thecommands C7 and C8 which indicate the start and end of the tile.

Next, an object description is added to a tile at coordinates where thecommands processed in steps S603 to S607 exist. For example, the tile Bin FIG. 8 is described by the rendering instruction part 1104 (FIG. 9)containing the commands C9 to C15. If a plurality of objects are presentin a single tile, like the tile D, an object description included in thetext rendering instruction part 1107 and an object description includedin the graphic rendering instruction part 1108 are written in order, asin the rendering instruction part 1106.

(Step S609)

When the write of one object in a tile vector is ended, it is determinedwhether the description of all objects in the page is ended. If thedescription is not ended (NO in step S609), the flow returns to stepS603. If the description is ended (YES in step S609), the processing isended.

A case wherein the document data type is determined as tile vector datain step S602 will be described.

(Step S610)

A command sequence describing an object is read out from the tile vectordata.

(Step S611)

The command sequence read out in step S610 is analyzed to determinewhether the described object can be concatenated to a tile read outbefore. If the object cannot be concatenated (NO in step S611), the flowskips step S612 and advances to step S613. If the object can beconcatenated (YES in step S611), the flow advances to step S612.

Whether the object can be concatenated is determined on the basis of,e.g., the coordinate position of the readout command the type of agraphic. For a character string, the determination is done on the basisof the font size and type.

(Step S612)

Object concatenation processing is executed. This processing isfundamentally implemented by reversing the process procedure in stepS605.

(Step S613)

In the command description of the input object, a coordinate position isconverted into a rendering position in the page vector data. In the tilevector data, a position from the upper left corner of a tile isdescribed. In the page vector data, however, the position isre-described to a position from the upper left corner of the page. Whena rendering position is described by coordinates in a tile, the datalength required for coordinate calculation can be reduced.

(Step S614)

When command description conversion of one object is ended, it isdetermined whether command description conversion of all objects in thetile is ended. If conversion is not ended (NO in step S614), the flowreturns to step S610 to repeat the processing in steps S610 to S613 forthe next command. If conversion is ended (YES in step S614), the flowadvances to step S615.

(Step S615)

When description conversion of all commands is ended, the tile vectordata is written in the system memory 5 as page vector data. The pagevector data is described in a format that deletes commands to indicatethe start and end of each tile from the commands described in steps S612and S613.

In writing the command described in the first tile of the page, a pagevector containing no object is generated in the system memory 5.Referring to the description in FIG. 7, the page vector is described byonly the commands C1 to C6 and C22.

Next, an object description processed in steps S610 to S613 is added. Inthe description shown in FIG. 7, this object description corresponds tothe commands C7 to C11 included in the text rendering instruction part902. In this case, the object indicates a character string {XXXX . . .YY . . . }. This object description is generated by sequentiallyconcatenating character strings in tiles described in the text renderinginstruction parts 1104 and 1107 in FIG. 9 in step S612.

(Step S616)

When the write of one command in the page vector is ended, it isdetermined whether the description of all objects in the tile is ended.If the description is not ended (NO in step S616), the flow returns tostep S610. If the description is ended (YES in step S616), the flowadvances to step S617.

(Step S617)

When the write of one tile vector data is ended, it is determinedwhether processing of the description of all tile vector data of thepage is ended. If the processing is not ended (NO in step S617), theflow returns to step S610. If the processing is ended (YES in stepS617), the processing is ended.

[Image Data Rasterization Unit (RIP)]

The image data rasterization unit 18 in the controller 1 will bedescribed next in detail.

Before the start of processing such as copy, print, or transmission ofimage data, the local memory 19 is initialized, and the resolution ofeach object to be created is set. In the first embodiment, thegeneration resolution is set to 600 dpi. By using this value, a printcommand designated by a unit system such as a point size or mm isconverted into a dot count.

Processing of causing the image data rasterization unit 18 to executetile vector data rasterization will be described below with reference toFIG. 11.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the image datarasterization unit according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

(Step S71)

Tile vector data of a predetermined size which is input from the systemmemory 5 to the RIP 18 through the SBB 2 is temporarily stored in thetile vector area of the local memory 19.

(Step S72)

When the tile vector data is stored in the local memory 19, it isdetermined whether any one of the μRIPs 18 a to 18 d in the RIP 18 canrasterize (process) the tile vector data. If all the μRIPs 18 a to 18 dare rasterizing (processing) tile vector data (NO in step S72), theprocessing waits until one of them can execute rasterization.

(Step S73)

When one of the μRIPs 18 a to 18 d can rasterize tile vector data,command analysis of the tile vector data stored in the local memory 19is executed in accordance with a predetermined grammar.

(Step S74)

It is determined on the basis of the command analysis result whether thecommand is a rendering instruction or a discharge instruction. If thecommand indicates a rendering instruction (YES in step S74), the flowadvances to step S75. If the command indicates a discharge instruction(NO in step S74), the flow advances to step S76.

(Step S75)

If the command indicates a rendering instruction, a rendering object (DLdata) is generated. When the command in the tile vector data is a textrendering instruction, a font object is generated on the basis of thefont style, character size, and character code designated by thecommand, and stored in the DL data area of the local memory 19. When thecommand indicates a rendering instruction other than a text renderinginstruction, i.e., a graphic rendering instruction, a rendering objectof a graphic (e.g., a line, circle, or polygon) designated by thecommand is generated and stored in the DL data area of the local memory19.

If the command indicates print data that is not designated by arendering instruction, print control processing such as print positionmovement or print environment setting is executed for the print data.Then, the command analysis for one unit is ended.

The above-described processing is repeated until all commands in thetile vector data are analyzed.

(Step S76)

If the command indicates a discharge instruction, the μRIP determineswhether the tile raster area on the local memory 19 has a free space. Ifno free space is present (NO in step S76), the processing waits untilanother μRIP ends the processing, and the tile raster area is releasedto form a free space. If a free space is present (YES in step S76), theflow advances to step S77.

(Step S77)

If the tile raster area has a free space, the rendering object generatedin step S75 is read out and rendered (rasterized) in the tile rasterarea. If the generation resolution is 600 dpi, the rendering object israsterized in the tile raster area as a 600-dpi image. The rendered tileraster image is output to the image processing unit 15 through the SBB2.

(Step S78)

When command analysis or rendering processing of one tile vector data isended in step S75 or S77, it is determined whether all tile vector datastored in the tile vector area are processed. If unprocessed tile vectordata remains (NO in step S78), the flow returns to step S72 tocontinuously process the next tile vector data. If no unprocessed tilevector data remains (YES in step S78), the flow advances to step S79.

(Step S79)

It is determined whether all tile vector data of one page are processed.If unprocessed tile vector data remains (NO in step S79), the flowreturns to step S71 to read out tile vector data from the system memory5 and continue the processing. If no unprocessed tile vector dataremains (YES in step S79), the processing is ended.

As described above, the first embodiment employs the configuration thatstores, as input image data, only image data of two formats, i.e., pagevector data and tile vector data on the system memory. Raster data andDL data that have a large image size need not be stored on the systemmemory. For this reason, the image data area that must be ensured on thesystem memory can be reduced.

In transmitting image data to an external device, tile vector data isconverted into page vector data to decrease the number of objects thatexist in the image data. Hence, the transmission data amount can bedecreased. When image data is transmitted to the transmissiondestination as page vector data, the received image data (page vectordata) can easily be converted into a general format such as PDF or SVGin the transmission destination.

When data spool is done using vector data, the resolution dependence ofthe system is solved. Hence, a high image quality and a high systemprocessing speed can be implemented in parallel. That is, a system withhigh cost performance can be formed.

When image data in the system is handled as vector data, the storedimage data searchability can be improved. In addition, a moreintelligent system can be implemented so that image manipulation for PODprinting where raster data is converted into objects and reused can bespeeded up.

When a plurality of image data rasterization units for rasterization tovector data are prepared and operated in parallel, tile vector datarasterization can be executed at a high speed. When the number of imagedata rasterization units to be operated is controlled, a scalable systemcapable of changing the processing function in accordance with theapplication and purpose can be formed.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment, for transmission from the MFP to an externaldevice, the data amount is reduced or image data versatility isincreased by converting tile vector data into page vector data. However,the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in storingimage data, not only tile vector data but also page vector data may bestored in advance. In such a configuration, page vector data can betransmitted to an external device at the time of transmission withoutconverting tile vector data into page vector data.

The entire configuration of the system is the same as in the firstembodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

A transmission operation of the image processing system according to thesecond embodiment will be described below.

[Transmission]

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the data flow of a transmissionoperation of the image processing system according to the secondembodiment of the present invention.

This data flow is implemented by causing the various kinds ofconstituent elements included in an MFP 1000 to cooperate under thecontrol of a CPU 3.

(S131): In the second embodiment, tile vector data and page vector dataare stored in an HDD 8 in association with each other in correspondencewith one image data. In transmission, page vector data is selected, readout from an HDD Cont 7 connected to a global bus 6 through an SBB 2, andtemporarily stored in a system memory 5.

(S132): The page vector data stored in the system memory 5 is read outfrom a network I/F 11 connected to the global bus 6 and transferred toan external device connected to a network 12.

In the second embodiment, the capacity of image data to be stored in theHDD 8 is larger than in the first embodiment. However, the flow intransmission is very simple.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition tothe effects described in the first embodiment, tile vector data and pagevector data corresponding to it are stored and managed in the HDD incorrespondence with one image data. Hence, only by selecting two kindsof vector data stored and managed in the HDD, as needed, moreappropriate vector data can be output in outputting the image datawithout conversion processing.

Third Embodiment

In the third embodiment, an application example of object segmentationprocessing in step S605 in FIG. 10 of the first embodiment will bedescribed.

In the third embodiment, object segmentation processing executed by atile/page vector conversion unit 13 especially when the processingtarget object is a curve object will be described.

FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of tile vector data according tothe third embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 13, the widthwise direction of document data 1401 is defined asan “X” direction, and the longitudinal direction is defined as a “Y”direction. The numbers arrayed in the X direction in FIG. 13 indicateX-direction tile IDs. The numbers arrayed in the Y direction indicateY-direction tile IDs. A to C represent tile vectors located at positionsof tile IDs=(0,0), (2,3), and (3,3).

Especially in FIG. 13, a curve object extends over the tiles B and C.That is, in this example, the curve object is segmented into the tiles Band C.

A description example of the contents of the document data 1401 formedfrom page vector data before tile segmentation will be described withreference to FIG. 14.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a description example of page vector dataaccording to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 14, reference numeral 1501 denotes a document settinginstruction part related to setting of entire document data; and 1502, awhole rendering instruction part.

Details of the rendering instructions will be described.

In the document setting instruction part 1501, C1 to C5 are commandsrelated to the entire document. Only one set of the commands C1 to C5 ispresent in a document.

The contents of the commands related to the entire document data are thesame as those described in detail with reference to FIG. 7 in the firstembodiment.

C6 to C10 contained in the rendering instruction part are various kindsof commands to output the document data.

C6 is a command to indicate the start of the page. C7 is a command toset the line (curve) color and sequentially indicates the luminances ofR (red), G (green), and B (blue) color components. The luminances arequantized in, e.g., 256 levels from 0 to 255. In this case, {255,92,128}is set.

C8 is a command to indicate the coordinates of the curve rendering startposition (one end point that defines the curve). A coordinate position(X,Y) is designated on the basis of the origin that is set at the upperleft corner of the page. In this case, curve rendering is set to startfrom a position {66,12} of the page. C9 is a command to indicate thecoordinates of the anchor points and end position (the other end pointthat defines the curve) of curve rendering. In this case, curverendering is set to pass through anchor points {126,98} and {66,126} andend at a position {126,112} of the page. C10 is a command to indicatethe end of the page.

A description example of the contents of the document data 1401 formedfrom tile vector data after tile segmentation will be described withreference to FIG. 15.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a description example of tile vector dataaccording to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 15, reference numeral 1601 denotes a document settinginstruction part related to setting of entire document data; 1602, awhole rendering instruction part; 1603 to 1605, rendering instructionparts of the tiles A to C; 1606 and 1607, graphic (curve) renderinginstruction parts of the tile B; and 1608 and 1609, graphic (curve)rendering instruction parts of the tile C.

Details of the rendering instructions will be described.

In the document setting instruction part 1601, C1 to C5 are commandsrelated to the entire document. Only one set of the commands C1 to C5 ispresent in a document.

The contents of the commands related to the entire document data are thesame as those described in detail with reference to FIG. 9 in the firstembodiment.

C6 to C500 contained in the rendering instruction part 1602 are variouskinds of commands to output the document data.

C6 is a command to indicate the start of the page. C7 is a command toindicate the start of the rendering command of the tile A in FIG. 13.The two parameters in TileStart(0,0) indicate the tile ID in thedocument data. C8 is a command to indicate the end of the renderingcommand of the tile A. If no object is present in a tile, as in the tileA, only the commands to indicate the start and end of the tile aredescribed.

As for the tiles B and C, one curve object on the page vector data issegmented into four curve objects by the tiles B and C. Two of the fourcurve objects belong to each of the tiles B and C.

For this reason, the rendering instruction part 1604 of the tile Bdescribes the command C101 to indicate the color of the two curveobjects, and the rendering instruction part 1606 (commands C102 andC103) and rendering instruction part 1607 (commands C104 and C105) whichcontain the start positions, anchor points, and end positions of thecurve objects.

Similarly, the rendering instruction part 1605 of the tile C describesthe command C121 to indicate the color of the two curve objects, and therendering instruction part 1608 (commands C122 and C123) and renderinginstruction part 1609 (commands C124 and C125) which contain the startpositions, anchor points, and end positions of the curve objects.

Tile segmentation of the curve object extending over the tiles B and Cwill be described next with reference to FIGS. 16A to 16C.

FIGS. 16A to 16C are views for explaining curve object tile segmentationaccording to the third embodiment of the present invention.

For the curve object shown in FIG. 16A which extends over at least onetile, a convex polygon P0-P1-P3-P2 including the curve is calculated, asshown in FIG. 16B. Next, the possibility that the curve object can crossany side of the tile of interest is evaluated by determining thepresence/absence of intersection between tile sides 16A-16B, 16B-16D,16D-16C, and 16C-16A and line segments P0-P1, P1-P3, P3-P2, and P2-P1.

As shown in FIG. 16C, intersection points between a curve P0-P3 and thetile side 16B-16D which crosses the line segments P0-P1 and P3-P2 arecalculated so that intersection points P4, P5, and P6 are acquired. Thecurve P0-P3 is segmented into curves P0-P4, P4-P5, P5-P6, and P6-P3which have the intersection points P4, P5, and P6 as end points. Anchorpoints P7, P8, P9, and P10 of the curves are calculated. Commands torender the segmented curves are generated.

In the above-described way, the curve object extending over at least onetile can be segmented into tiles.

The curve object segmentation processing will be described next indetail with reference to FIG. 17.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing details of curve object segmentationprocessing according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

This processing is executed when the processing target is a curve objectin the object segmentation processing in step S605 in FIG. 10.

(Step S1801)

First, it is determined whether the curve object as the processingtarget is already segmented by another adjacent tile. If the curveobject is segmented (YES in step S1801), the flow advances to stepS1809. If the curve object is not segmented (NO in step S1801), the flowadvances to step S1802.

(Step S1802)

A convex polygon including the curve object as the processing target andits vertices are calculated.

(Step S1803)

The possibility that the convex polygon including the curve object asthe processing target can cross any side of the tile of interest isevaluated.

(Step S1804)

It is determined on the basis of the evaluation result in step S1803whether there is a possibility that the convex polygon including thecurve object as the processing target can cross any side of the tile ofinterest. If no cross possibility is present (NO in step S1804), theprocessing is ended. If a cross possibility is present (YES in stepS1804), the flow advances to step S1805.

(Step S1805)

A side of interest (tile side) of the tile of interest which can crossthe convex polygon including the curve object as the processing targetis selected. The intersection point between the tile side and the curveobject is calculated. The calculated intersection point is stored in thesystem memory 5. The number of intersection points can be, e.g., 0 to 3.

The intersection point is calculated on the basis of, e.g., an equationdefined by the convex polygon and the tile side of the tile of interest.

(Step S1806)

It is determined whether all intersection points between the convexpolygon including the curve object as the processing target and the sideof interest which can cross the convex polygon are calculated. If theside of interest has an uncalculated intersection point (NO in stepS1806), the flow returns to step S1805. If the side of interest has nouncalculated intersection point (YES in step S1806), the flow advancesto step S1807.

When the processing in steps S1802 to S1804 is executed, the number oftimes of loop of the intersection point calculation processing (stepsS1805 and S1806) with a large throughput can be reduced.

(Step S1807)

The curve object is segmented by using the intersection point ofinterest between the curve object and the side of interest of the tileof interest. The end points and anchor points of the segmented curvesare calculated and stored in the system memory 5.

(Step S1808)

It is determined whether curve object segmentation is ended at allintersection points between the tile sides and the curve object, whichare stored in the system memory 5. If segmentation is not ended (NO instep S1808), the flow returns to step S1807. If segmentation is ended(YES in step S1808), the processing is ended.

(Step S1809)

If the curve object as the processing target is already segmented byanother adjacent tile in step S1801, the intersection points between thecurve object and the adjacent tile, which are stored in the systemmemory 5 at the time of processing of the adjacent tile, are acquired.

(Step S1810)

A convex polygon including the curve object and its vertices, which arecalculated regarding the adjacent tile, are acquired. The flow advancesto step S1803.

The processing in step S1802 will be described next in detail withreference to FIG. 18.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing details of the processing in step S1802according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

(Step S1901)

It is determined whether one vertex P0 of the rectangle P0-P1-P3-P2(e.g., FIG. 16B) defined by four points, i.e., the end points and anchorpoints of the curve object is included in a triangle P1-P2-P3 defined bythe remaining vertices. If the vertex is included (YES in step S1901),the flow advances to step S1906. If the vertex is not included (NO instep S1901), the flow advances to step S1902.

(Step S1902)

It is determined whether one vertex P1 of the rectangle P0-P1-P3-P2defined by four points, i.e., the end points and anchor points of thecurve object is included in a triangle P0-P2-P3 defined by the remainingvertices. If the vertex is included (YES in step S1902), the flowadvances to step S1907. If the vertex is not included (NO in stepS1902), the flow advances to step S1903.

(Step S1903)

It is determined whether one vertex P2 of the rectangle P0-P1-P3-P2defined by four points, i.e., the end points and anchor points of thecurve object is included in a triangle P0-P1-P3 defined by the remainingvertices. If the vertex is included (YES in step S1903), the flowadvances to step S1908. If the vertex is not included (NO in stepS1903), the flow advances to step S1904.

(Step S1904)

It is determined whether one vertex P3 of the rectangle P0-P1-P3-P2defined by four points, i.e., the end points and anchor points of thecurve object is included in a triangle P0-P1-P2 defined by the remainingvertices. If the vertex is included (YES in step S1904), the flowadvances to step S1909. If the vertex is not included (NO in stepS1904), the flow advances to step S1905.

(Step S1905)

The rectangle P0-P1-P3-P2 is acquired as a convex polygon including thecurve object. P0, P1, P2, and P3 are stored in the system memory 5 asthe vertices of the convex polygon, and the processing is ended.

(Step S1906)

The triangle P1-P2-P3 is acquired as a convex polygon including thecurve object. P1, P2, and P3 are stored in the system memory 5 as thevertices of the convex polygon, and the processing is ended.

(Step S1907)

The triangle P0-P2-P3 is acquired as a convex polygon including thecurve object. P0, P2, and P3 are stored in the system memory 5 as thevertices of the convex polygon, and the processing is ended.

(Step S1908)

The triangle P0-P1-P3 is acquired as a convex polygon including thecurve object. P0, P1, and P3 are stored in the system memory 5 as thevertices of the convex polygon, and the processing is ended.

(Step S1909)

The triangle P0-P1-P2 is acquired as a convex polygon including thecurve object. P0, P1, and P2 are stored in the system memory 5 as thevertices of the convex polygon, and the processing is ended.

The processing in step S1803 will be described next in detail withreference to FIG. 19.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of the processing in step S1803according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

(Step S2001)

It is determined whether the tile of interest is included in the convexpolygon including the curve object. If the tile is included (YES in stepS2001), the flow advances to step S2002. If the tile is not included (NOin step S2001), the flow advances to step S2003.

(Step S2002)

Information representing that all tile sides can cross the curve objectis stored in the system memory 5, and the processing is ended.

(Step S2003)

It is determined whether the convex polygon including the curve objectis included in the tile. If the convex polygon is included (YES in stepS2003), the flow advances to step S2004. If the convex polygon is notincluded (NO in step S2003), the flow advances to step S2005.

(Step S2004)

Information representing that no tile sides can cross the curve objectis stored in the system memory 5, and the processing is ended.

(Step S2005)

One of the four tile sides is set as the tile side of interest.

(Step S2006)

One of the three or four sides of the convex polygon is set as theconvex polygon side of interest.

(Step S2007)

It is determined whether the tile side of interest crosses the convexpolygon side of interest. If they cross (YES in step S2007), the flowadvances to step S2008. If they do not cross (NO in step S2007), theflow advances to step S2009.

(Step S2008)

Information representing that the tile side of interest can cross thecurve object is stored in the system memory 5.

(Step S2009)

It is determined for all of the three or four convex polygon sideswhether setting processing (steps S2006 and S2007) for the convexpolygon side of interest is ended. If the processing is not ended (NO instep S2009), the flow returns to step S2006. If the processing is ended(YES in step S2009), the flow advances to step S2010.

(Step S2010)

It is determined for all of the four tile sides whether settingprocessing (step S2005) for the tile side of interest is ended. If theprocessing is not ended (NO in step S2010), the flow returns to stepS2005. If the processing is ended (YES in step S2010), the processing isended.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, in addition tothe effects described in the first and second embodiments, the shape ofa curve object is evaluated in converting page vector data containingthe curve object into tile vector data. The page vector data isconverted into tile vector data on the basis of the evaluation result.With this processing, tile vector data in which the curve object isappropriately segmented on tiles can be generated.

Fourth Embodiment

In the conventional system shown in FIG. 29, the RIP 113 generatesraster data by rendering page vector data after the resolution of eachimage object contained in the page vector data is converted inaccordance with the rendering resolution.

At the time of resolution conversion, an image object isenlarged/reduced by a nearest-neighbor method without interpolationprocessing, or interpolation processing such as a bilinear method orbicubic method is executed to avoid any side effect of aliasing. Inaddition, the plurality of kinds of interpolation processing areswitched, or the interpolation region is extended from the boundary ofthe image object in executing interpolation processing, as disclosed inJapanese Patent Registration No. 3111971.

In the first embodiment, for example, several methods to be describedbelow are available to convert page vector data containing an imageobject into tile vector data.

In segmenting vector data containing an image object into tile vectordata, the image object itself is copied and embedded in a plurality oftiles which include the single image object. If the whole image objectis embedded in each of N tiles which include the image object, the totaldata amount of the page (image data) increases by (N−1) times of theimage object size. In this case, the data amount increases along withconversion to tile vector data.

On the other hand, an image object extending over a plurality of tilesis segmented at tile boundaries. Each segmented part of the image objectis embedded in corresponding tile vector data. When this method isemployed, the increase in data amount in tile vector data conversion canbe avoided.

To convert the resolution of an image object in accordance with theresolution after rendering, interpolation processing such as a bilinearmethod or bicubic method can be selected. However, in this case, theimage object segmented at the tile boundaries has no pixels outside thetile boundaries.

For this reason, if such interpolation processing is executed, and pageraster data containing tile raster data is generated by rendering tilevector data, a discontinuous region of the image object is generated atpositions corresponding to the tile boundaries on the page vector data,resulting in poor image quality.

To solve the problem of the above-described two methods, if an imageobject is to be segmented at tile boundaries, some of the pixels of theimage object are duplicated. Then, the pixels outside the tileboundaries, which are necessary for interpolation processing, are alsoembedded in the tile vector data.

When this method is used, the problem of increase in data and theproblem of poor image quality by interpolation processing can be solved.However, even when this method is employed, duplication of pixels isnecessary. Hence, even in this method, the data amount still increasesupon conversion to tile vector data, though the increase amount is notso large as in the above-described methods.

In the fourth embodiment, especially, the increase in data amount inconverting page vector data containing an image object into tile vectordata is suppressed, and no interpolation processing that degrades theimage quality is executed. Image object segmentation processing capableof suppressing even aliasing will be described.

The fourth embodiment considers the fact that the resolution of an imageobject is generally 300 dpi or less, i.e., lower than the printresolution that is normally 600 dpi or more in most cases. Thisembodiment also considers that fact that the problem of aliasing is moreconspicuous in image reduction than in image enlargement.

In the fourth embodiment, a threshold resolution is defined. Insegmenting a single image object, if the resolution of the image objectis higher than the threshold resolution, neighboring pixels outside thetile boundaries are duplicated and held in vector tile data. If theresolution of the image object is lower than the threshold resolution,neighboring pixels outside the tile boundaries are not duplicated andheld in vector tile data.

In rendering an image object, if no neighboring pixels outside the tileboundaries are present, the resolution is converted by anearest-neighbor method. If neighboring pixels outside the tileboundaries are present, the resolution is converted by usinginterpolation processing such as a bicubic method or bilinear method.That is, the conversion method is adaptively switched. With thisarrangement, the increase in data amount by tile segmentation of animage object is suppressed, and aliasing is also suppressed even withoutinterpolation processing.

In the fourth embodiment, an application example of object segmentationprocessing in step S605 in FIG. 10 of the first embodiment will bedescribed below.

In the fourth embodiment, object segmentation processing executed by atile/page vector conversion unit 13 especially when the processingtarget object is an image object will be described.

Tile segmentation of an image object extending over at least one tilewill be described with reference to FIG. 20.

FIG. 20 is a view for explaining image object tile segmentationaccording to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

An image object 2000 shown in FIG. 20 is contained in page vector data.When segmented into tile vector data, the image object 2000 exists overtiles 1402 to 1405 on the basis of the layout coordinates.

In object segmentation processing by the tile/page vector conversionunit 13, first, the resolution of the image object 2000 is compared witha predetermined resolution (threshold resolution: e.g., 600 dpi).

The predetermined resolution is normally the resolution of raster datagenerated by a RIP 18. If raster data having a plurality of kinds ofresolutions can be generated, the lowest resolution may be used as thepredetermined resolution.

If the resolution of the image object 2000 is lower than thepredetermined resolution as a result of comparison, the image object2000 extending over the tiles 1402 to 1405 is segmented at the tileboundaries of the tiles 1402 to 1405. Segmented image objects 1406 to1409 are embedded in the corresponding tiles 1402 to 1405, respectively.

If the resolution of the image object 2000 is higher than thepredetermined resolution, the image object 2000 extending over the tiles1402 to 1405 is segmented such that parts of the image object 2000beyond the tile boundaries of the tiles 1402 to 1405 overlap with eachother. Segmented image objects 1410 to 1413 are embedded in thecorresponding tiles 1402 to 1405, respectively.

The image object segmentation processing will be described next indetail with reference to FIG. 21.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing details of image object segmentationprocessing according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

(Step S1501)

A tile of interest as a tile vector data generation target is selected.

(Step S1502)

The tile boundaries of the tile of interest are projected to imagecoordinates that define the image object as the processing target.

(Step S1503)

A convex polygon formed from the tile boundaries projected to the imagecoordinates and the outer periphery of the image object itself iscalculated. A perpendicular rectangle circumscribed to the convexpolygon is calculated.

(Step S1504)

The resolution of the image object is compared with the predeterminedresolution to determine whether the resolution of the image object ishigher than the predetermined resolution. If the resolution of the imageobject is equal to or lower than the predetermined resolution (NO instep S1504), the flow advances to step S1505. If the resolution of theimage object is higher than the predetermined resolution (YES in stepS1504), the flow advances to step S1507.

(Step S1505)

The perpendicular rectangle circumscribed to the convex polygon is setas boundaries to segment the image object.

(Step S1506)

Information representing that the segmented image object has no pixelsoutside the tile boundaries is stored in the system memory 5.

(Step S1507)

If the resolution of the image object is higher than the predeterminedresolution in step S1504, an enlarged rectangle is calculated byenlarging the perpendicular rectangle circumscribed to the convexpolygon by a size corresponding to the reference region of interpolationprocessing.

(Step S1508)

The enlarged rectangle is set as boundaries to segment the image object.

(Step S1509)

Information representing that the segmented image object has pixelsoutside the tile boundaries is stored in the system memory 5.

(Step S1510)

An image having the set boundaries as the outer periphery is extractedfrom the image object as the processing target.

(Step S1511)

The extracted image is added to the tile of interest as an image object,and the processing is ended.

A detailed example of the image object segmentation processing in FIG.21 will be described next with reference to FIGS. 22A to 22G.

FIGS. 22A to 22G are views showing a detailed example of image objectsegmentation processing according to the fourth embodiment of thepresent invention.

An image object 2201 has unique image coordinates (FIG. 22A). The imageobject 2201 is projected to the page vector data coordinates of pagevector data 2202 by affine transformation (FIG. 22B) and formed as animage 2203 in the page vector data 2202. When the page vector data 2202is converted into tile vector data, a result shown in FIG. 22C isobtained.

In image object segmentation processing by object segmentationprocessing (step S605 in FIG. 10), first, a tile 2204 of interest isselected in step S1501 (FIG. 22C).

As shown in FIG. 22D, the tile 2204 of interest is projected to theimage coordinates (step S1502). A convex polygon 2206 formed from thetile boundaries of a tile 2205 projected to the image coordinates andthe outer periphery of the image object 2201 itself is calculated. Aperpendicular rectangle 2207 circumscribed to the convex polygon 2206 iscalculated (step S1503).

The resolution of the image object 2201 is compared with a predeterminedresolution (step S1504). If the resolution of the image object 2201 ishigher than the predetermined resolution (when the image object has ahigh resolution), an enlarged rectangle 2208 is calculated by enlargingthe perpendicular rectangle 2207 circumscribed to the convex polygon2206 by a size corresponding to the reference region of interpolationprocessing, as shown in FIG. 22E (step S1507).

An image object 2209 segmented from the image object 2201 is generatedby using the enlarged rectangle 2208 as boundaries, as shown in FIG. 22F(step S1510). The image object is embedded in a tile of interest 2210,as shown in FIG. 22G (step S1511). The tile of interest 2210 has uniqueintra-tile coordinates. The segmented image object 2209 is projected tothe intra-tile coordinates as the image object 2209.

The processing of rasterizing an image object in step S77 in FIG. 11will be described next in detail with reference to FIG. 23.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing details of image object rasterization instep S77 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

(Step S1701)

First, a first transformation matrix representing the correspondencebetween the intra-tile coordinate system and the device coordinatesystem is acquired. The device coordinate system is defined for theentire page formed from tile vector data as, e.g., the coordinate systemshown in FIG. 8.

(Step S1702)

A second transformation matrix representing the correspondence betweenthe intra-tile coordinates and the image coordinate system of the imageobject is acquired.

(Step S1703)

A third transformation matrix is generated by combining the firsttransformation matrix acquired in step S1701 and the secondtransformation matrix acquired in step S1702. The correspondence betweenthe device coordinate system and the image coordinate system iscalculated by using the third transformation matrix.

(Step S1704)

In the device coordinate system, a pixel of interest is selected in theregion where the image object is laid out.

(Step S1705)

On the basis of the device coordinates of the pixel of interest in thedevice coordinate system, the corresponding pixel of the imagecoordinates in the image coordinate system is calculated by using thethird transformation matrix combined in step S1703.

(Step S1706)

The image object interpolation method is selected on the basis ofwhether the corresponding pixel of the image object is present outsidethe tile boundaries. If the pixel is not present outside the tileboundaries, a first interpolation method (nearest-neighbor method) isselected as the interpolation method, and the flow advances to stepS1707. If the neighboring pixels of the pixel are present outside thetile boundaries, a second interpolation method (bicubic method) isselected as the interpolation method, and the flow advances to stepS1708.

As the interpolation method various kinds of interpolation methods suchas the nearest-neighbor method, bicubic method, and bilinear method canbe used.

(Step S1707)

The color of the corresponding pixel is acquired.

(Step S1708)

The corresponding pixel and neighboring pixels are acquired.

(Step S1709)

Interpolation processing is executed using the corresponding pixel andneighboring pixels, and the color of the processing result is acquired.

(Step S1710)

The acquired color is set as the color of the pixel of interest.

(Step S1711)

It is determined whether all pixels on the device coordinates of thedevice coordinate system where the image object is laid out areprocessed. If all the pixels are not processed yet (NO in step S1711),the flow returns to step S1704. If all the pixels are processed (YES instep S1711), the processing is ended.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, in addition tothe effects described in the first to third embodiments, tile vectordata is generated by adaptively switching the image object tilesegmentation method on the basis of the resolution of the image objectas the processing target. Hence, the increase in data amount by tilesegmentation of an image object can be suppressed, and aliasing issuppressed even without interpolation processing.

Fifth Embodiment

In the above-described embodiments, to execute data handling in theimage processing system at a high speed in real time, tile vector datais generated and managed in the HDD 8. In the fifth embodiment, instoring tile vector data in an HDD 8, a tile containing no object ismanaged without writing it in the HDD 8.

With this configuration, data access to the HDD 8 can be speeded up, andthe performance of the image processing system can further be improved.

The processing outline and processing flow of the fifth embodiment willbe described below with reference to FIGS. 24A, 24B, and 25.

FIGS. 24A and 24B are views for explaining the outline of processingaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 25 is aflowchart showing tile vector data write processing according to thefifth embodiment of the present invention.

(Step S2501)

In the fifth embodiment, tile vector data is generated by segmentingimage data (page vector data or raster data) of one page read in asystem memory 5 into blocks (tiles (rectangles)) with a predeterminedsize. At this time, a tile ID (tile identification information) toidentify the position of each tile vector data is generated and set inthe header of the tile vector data.

For example, assume that when page vector data 2401 shown in FIG. 24A issegmented into tiles eight-pixel square, the page vector data 2401 issegmented into three tiles in the X direction and three tiles in the Ydirection. That is, the page vector data is segmented into a total ofnine (=3×3) tile vector data separated by dotted lines. The unit of thetile size, i.e., the number of pixels of one side can be changed by theuser operation.

The coordinates of the tiles can be defined by numbering them 0, 1, and2 in the X direction from the left side and 0, 1, and 2 in the Ydirection from the upper side. A combination of the coordinates can beused as a tile ID to identify the position of each tile. For example,the upper left tile is the start of tile vector data and has a tile ID(X,Y)=(0,0). The tile ID of the tile on the right side is (X,Y)=(1,0).The tile ID of the tile at the lower right corner is (X,Y)=(2,2).

(Step S2502)

An object that exists in the page vector data of one page read in thesystem memory 5 is segmented into a plurality of objects each fitted inone tile, thereby generating tile vector data. To do this, anidentification flag (object identification information) to identify thepresence/absence of an object in a tile is generated and set in theheader of the tile vector data.

More specifically, the presence/absence of an object is analyzed in eachtile contained in the page vector data 2401. If an object is present,the identification flag is set to “1”. If no object is present, theidentification flag is set to “0”.

For example, tiles with tile IDs=(0,0), (1,0), (2,0), (0,1), and (0,2)in the page vector data 2401 have no object. Hence, the identificationflag is “0”. On the other hand, the remaining tiles with tile IDs=(1,1),(1,2), (2,1), and (2,2) have objects. Hence, the identification flag is“1”.

(Step S2503)

Tile vector data is generated from the tile IDs to identify thepositions of the tiles, the identification flags indicating thepresence/absence of an object in the tiles, and tile vectors. For thispurpose, a tile table 2402 (tile management table) shown in FIG. 24B iscreated in the system memory 5. In the tile table 2402, pieces ofinformation such as a tile ID, identification flag, and object contents(“no object” or “data”) are managed for each tile. In this case, a tiletable containing tiles with tile names Tile 0 to Tile 8 is formed.

(Step S2504)

When generation of the tile table 2402 corresponding to the page vectordata 2401 of one page read in the system memory 5 is ended, writesetting to start the write of tile vector data from the system memory 5to the HDD 8 is executed. In this write setting, setting to start thewrite from the tile data with the tile ID=(0,0) identifying the tileposition is executed.

(Step S2505)

On the basis of the tile ID, the identification flag of the processingtarget tile in the tile table 2402 is referred to. It is determinedwhether the identification flag is 1. If the identification flag is 1(YES in step S2505), an object is present in the tile. In this case, thetile is determined to be a write target in the HDD 8, and the flowadvances to step S2506. If the identification flag is 0 (NO in stepS2505), no object is present in the tile. In this case, the tile isdetermined not to be a write target in the HDD 8, and the flow advancesto step S2507.

(Step S2506)

The processing target tile is written in the HDD 8.

(Step S2507)

The presence/absence of unprocessed tile data is determined. Ifunprocessed tile data is present (YES in step S2507), the flow returnsto step S2504 to set tile data indicated by the next tile ID asprocessing target tile data. If no unprocessed tile data is present (NOin step S2507), the processing is ended.

A detailed operation of the processing in steps S2504 to S2507 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 24A.

In step S2504, the tile ID=(0,0) is set. The identification flagcorresponding to the tile ID=(0,0) is referred to in the tile table2402. The value of the identification flag is “0”. It is thereforedetermined that no object is present in the corresponding tile. For thisreason, the tile data (Tile 0) with the tile ID=(0,0) is not written inthe HDD 8 (the write is inhibited).

Hence, the processing of the tile with the tile ID=(0,0) advances fromstep S2505 to step S2507. Since an unprocessed tile (tile ID) is presentin step S2507, the flow returns to step S2504.

In step S2504, the tile ID=(1,0) is set. The identification flagcorresponding to the tile ID=(1,0) is referred to in the tile table2402. The value of the identification flag is “0”. It is thereforedetermined that no object is present in the corresponding tile. For thisreason, the tile data (Tile 1) with the tile ID=(1,0) is not written inthe HDD 8 (the write is inhibited).

The values of the identification flags of the tile data (Tile 2 and Tile3) with the tile IDs=(2,0) and (0,1) are also “0”. Hence, the writeoperation of the tile data in the HDD 8 is inhibited.

The identification flag corresponding to the next tile ID=(1,1) isreferred to in the tile table 2402. The value of the identification flagis “1”. It is therefore determined that an object is present in thecorresponding tile. For this reason, the tile data (Tile 4) with thetile ID=(1,1) is written in the HDD 8.

Hence, the processing of the tile with the tile ID=(1,1) advances fromstep S2505 to step S2506. When the write is ended, the flow returns tostep S2504 because an unprocessed tile (tile ID) is present.

The value of the identification flag of the tile data (Tile 5) with thetile ID=(2,1) is also “1”. Hence, the write operation of the tile datain the HDD 8 is executed. The value of the identification flag of thenext tile data (Tile 6) with the tile ID=(0,2) is “0”. Hence, the writeoperation of the tile data in the HDD 8 is inhibited. The values of theidentification flags of the tile data (Tile 7 and Tile 8) with the tileIDs=(1,2) and (2,2) are “1”. Hence, the write operation of the tile datain the HDD 8 is executed.

When the processing for the tile ID=(2,2) is ended, no unprocessed tilesremain, and the write processing is ended.

With the above processing, of the data with the tile names Tile 0 toTile 8 managed on the tile table 2402, only the tile data with the tilenames Tile 4, Tile 5, Tile 7, and Tile 8 are stored in the HDD 8. Hence,the storage capacity of the HDD 8 can be saved. In addition, a tiletable 2404 is generated as the tile data storage state in the HDD 8.

Read processing of reading out tile vector data written in the HDD 8 tothe system memory 5 will be described next with reference to FIG. 26.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing tile vector data read processingaccording to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

(Step S2601)

Tile ID read setting to read out and identify tile data that exits inthe HDD 8 is executed.

(Step S2602)

By looking up the tile table 2404 stored in the HDD 8, the tile ID oftile data actually stored in the HDD 8 is read out and stored in thesystem memory 5.

(Step S2603)

It is determined whether the set tile ID set in the read settingcoincides with the read tile ID read out from the HDD 8. With thisprocessing, the presence/absence of a tile ID whose read order isdiscontinuous is determined. If the tile IDs do not coincide (YES instep S2603), it is determined that a discontinuous tile ID is present,and the flow advances to step S2604. If the tile IDs coincide (NO instep S2603), it is determined that no discontinuous tile ID is present,and the flow advances to step S2605.

(Step S2604)

If a discontinuous tile ID is present, tile data which was not writtenin the HDD 8 because it contains no object is present. In this case, inthe read processing, to reproduce tile vector data containing the tiledata as a constituent element, the tile table 2404 must be reconstructedto the tile table 2402.

To do this, data about the tile data corresponding to the discontinuoustile ID is added to the tile table 2404.

(Step S2605)

If no discontinuous tile ID is present, the tile data is read out bylooking up the tile table 2404.

(Step S2606)

After the tile data is read out, the presence/absence of an unprocessedtile is determined. If unprocessed tile data is present (NO in stepS2606), the flow returns to step S2601 to set tile data indicated by thenext tile ID as processing target tile data. If no unprocessed tile datais present (YES in step S2606), the processing is ended.

A detailed operation of the processing in steps S2601 to S2606 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 24A.

In step S2601, to read out tile data from the HDD 8, the tile positionas the read position is set to the start ID=(0,0) (set tile ID).

In step S2602, by looking up the tile table 2404, a tile ID is read outfrom the HDD 8, and the readout tile ID (read tile ID) is stored in thesystem memory 5. The readout tile ID is to be used in tile data additionprocessing to the tile table later. Hence, the log of several latestread tile IDs is saved. In this case, the tile ID=(1,1) is read out fromthe tile table 2404 stored in the HDD 8.

In step S2603, the tile IDs are compared. The set tile ID is (0,0), andthe read tile ID is (1,1). The read order of the tile IDs isdiscontinuous. That is, a discontinuous tile ID is present. The presenceof a discontinuous tile ID indicates the presence of tile datacontaining no object.

In step S2604, tile data is added to the tile table. That is, tile datacorresponding to the read tile ID=(1,1) contains an object. The tiletable 2402 is created by adding tile data containing no object regardingthe tile IDs=(0,0), (1,0), (2,0), and (0,1) of the precedingdiscontinuous portion. At this point of time, the tile table 2402contains the tile names Tile 0 to Tile 3.

In step S2605, tile data with the tile ID=(1,1) is read out from the HDD8. In step S2606, an unprocessed tile ID is present. Hence, the flowreturns to step S2601.

Next, in step S2601, the set tile ID is (2,1). In step S2602, the readtile ID is (2,1). In step S2602, the log of the read tile IDs is savedin the system memory 5. In step S2603, the set tile ID=(2,1) is comparedwith the preceding read tile ID (1,1). This time, the tile ID read orderis continuous. Hence, the flow advances to step S2605 to read out tiledata with the tile ID=(2,1) from the HDD 8.

The processing is executed in a similar manner. The tile data regardingthe tile ID=(0,2) is added to the tile table 2402. For the tileIDs=(1,2) and (2,2), tile data are read out from the HDD 8.

Since no unprocessed tile ID remains, the read processing is ended. Whenthe read processing is ended, the same tile table 2402 as in the writeprocessing is reproduced. Tile vector data 2405 can be reconstructed(read out) by using the tile table 2402. After the read processing isended, the log of read tile IDs is erased.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, in addition tothe effects described in the first to fourth embodiments, in storing, inthe HDD, tile vector data generated on the system memory, a tile tablethat manages tile headers to identify the positions of tile datacontained in the tile vector data and flags to identify thepresence/absence of an object is created. For tile data containing noobject, the write of the tile data in the HDD is inhibited.

With this configuration, the amount of data stored in the HDD can bereduced. In addition, in the write/read processing for the HDD, thenumber of times of access can be decreased so that a system with highoperation performance can be implemented.

Sixth Embodiment

In the conventional system shown in FIG. 29, for a font object containedin page vector data, the CPU 102 executes search to check whether acorresponding font object is already registered in a font cache (notshown) provided on the system memory 104. If no corresponding fontobject is registered, the CPU 102 bitmaps the font object and registersit in the font cache.

When the position of the registered font data on the system memory 104is designated and registered in intermediate data, the position of therasterized font data on the system memory 104 is designated in theintermediate data without rasterization processing.

Upon receiving the intermediate data, the image data rasterization unit113 rasterizes rendering objects except the font and reads out therasterized font data from the designated position of the font cache.With this processing, bitmap data is created and saved in the systemmemory 104. Then, image processing is executed by the image processingunit 110 through the SBB 101. The image data is sent to the printer 112and printed.

An arrangement for effectively using the font cache in such an imageprocessing system is disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.10-016319. In this arrangement, a counter is provided for each fontcache data. Every time the font cache is hit in intermediate datageneration, the counter is incremented. In addition, every time the fontcache hit in image data rasterization processing is referred to, thecounter is decremented. The font cache data is held until the counterchanges to the initial value.

In this arrangement, however, counters must be prepared in number equalto or larger than the number of times of hit. Since it is normallyimpossible to predict the number of times of appearance of a characterin processing target data, a sufficiently large counter is necessary.Since the counter is normally prepared on the same system memory as thefont cache, the system memory must have a larger capacity.

To further increase the printing speed, a plurality of interpreters anda plurality of image data rasterization units are provided. Whenparallel processing is implemented, accesses from the plurality ofinterpreters and the plurality of image data rasterization units to thecounter often occur simultaneously, resulting in high possibility ofimpeding parallel processing.

To prevent this, in the sixth embodiment, an arrangement will bedescribed in which when a plurality of sub image data rasterizationunits provided in an image data rasterization unit execute rasterizationprocessing (conversion from vector data to bitmap data) in parallel,font cache data referred to by each sub image data rasterization unit isreliably protected.

In this arrangement to protect the font cache, since the sub image datarasterization units can be operated simultaneously (independently), theparallel operation of image data rasterization processing can beprevented from being impeded.

In this arrangement to protect the font cache, since it is onlynecessary to prepare registers equal in number to sub image datarasterization units that operate in parallel, independently of thenumber of times of appearance of a font, the memory utilization can bereduced.

An application example of an image data rasterization unit 18 accordingto the sixth embodiment will be described below.

The detailed arrangement of the image data rasterization unit 18 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 27.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing the detailed arrangement of the imagedata rasterization unit according to the sixth embodiment of the presentinvention.

Sub image data rasterization units (μRIPs) 18 a to 18 d improveperformance by rasterizing tile vectors that are input in parallel. Afont cache 2705 saves temporarily rasterized character (font) data forreuse. The font cache 2705 includes a font cache memory 2706 and lockflag registers 2707 to 2710 each of which stores a lock flagrepresenting that the font cache memory 2706 is being referred to.Although not illustrated in FIG. 27, the font cache memory 2706 isallocated on a local memory 19 shown in FIG. 1.

A bus 2711 is used by the μRIPs 18 a to 18 d to access the common fontcache memory 2706. If a character to be rasterized by the μRIPs 18 a to18 d is registered in the font cache 2705, rasterization of thecharacter is ended by only reading out the rasterized font data throughthe bus 2711.

Control signal lines 2712 to 2715 are used by the μRIPs 18 a to 18 d toindependently operate the corresponding lock flag registers 2707 to2710. The μRIP 18 a is connected to the lock flag register 2707. TheμRIP 18 b is connected to the lock flag register 2708. The μRIP 18 c isconnected to the lock flag register 2709. The μRIP 18 d is connected tothe lock flag register 2710.

Reference numerals 2716 to 2719 denote examples of tile vector data tobe rasterized by the μRIPs 18 a to 18 d.

FIG. 27 shows four sets of μRIPs and lock flag registers. However, thenumber is not limited to four and can be increased or decreased inaccordance with the required system performance.

An operation example of the font cache will be described next withreference to FIG. 28.

FIG. 28 is a view showing an operation example of the font cacheaccording to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 shows an example of the font cache 2705 including the font cachememory 2706 and lock flag registers 2707 to 2710.

A font cache management table 2100 manages data in the font cache 2705.A rasterized font data storage unit 2101 includes n storage units. Thefont cache management table 2100 includes character identificationinformation to identify registered characters, the addresses (storageaddresses) of the font cache memory where the rasterized font data ofthe characters are stored, and lock flag registers equal in number tothe sub image data rasterization units (μRIPs).

In the rasterized font data storage unit 2101, the rasterized font dataof characters are stored from the storage addresses in the font cachemanagement table 2100.

The font rasterization processing of the μRIPs and the operation of thefont cache will be described below with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28.

The μRIP 18 a receives the tile vector data 2716. The tile vector data2716 contains a character

. The μRIP 18 a searches the font cache management table 2100 forcharacter identification information and recognizes that

is already registered in a data entry 2103 (recognizes “hit”).

In this case, since the font data is hit, the μRIP 18 a sets “1” in aflag corresponding to the data entry 2103 of the lock flag register 2707connected through the control signal line 2712, thereby indicating thatthe font cache memory 2706 is being referred to.

After that, reading of rasterized font data 1 (2109) from “Address 1”indicated by the storage address of the data entry 2103 in the fontcache management table 2100 is started. The tile vector data 2716 israsterized. When reading of the rasterized font data 1 (2109) is ended,the previously set flag corresponding to the data entry 2103 of the lockflag register 2707 is cleared to “0”, thereby indicating that referenceto the font cache memory 2706 is ended.

The μRIP 18 b receives the tile vector data 2717. The tile vector data2717 contains a character “A”. The μRIP 18 b searches the font cachemanagement table 2100 for character identification information andrecognizes that “A” is already registered in a data entry 2105(recognizes “hit”).

In this case, since the font data is hit, the μRIP 18 b sets “1” in aflag corresponding to the data entry 2105 of the lock flag register 2708connected through the control signal line 2713, thereby indicating thatthe font cache memory 2706 is being referred to.

After that, reading of rasterized font data 3 (2111) from “Address 3”indicated by the storage address of the data entry 2105 in the fontcache management table 2100 is started. The tile vector data 2717 israsterized. When reading of the rasterized font data 3 (2111) is ended,the previously set flag corresponding to the data entry 2105 of the lockflag register 2708 is cleared to “0”, thereby indicating that referenceto the font cache memory 2706 is ended.

The μRIP 18 c receives the tile vector data 2718. The tile vector data2718 contains a character “A”. The μRIP 18 c searches the font cachemanagement table 2100 for character identification information andrecognizes that “A” is already registered in the data entry 2105(recognizes “hit”).

In this case, since the font data is hit, the μRIP 18 c sets “1” in aflag corresponding to the data entry 2105 of the lock flag register 2709connected through the control signal line 2714, thereby indicating thatthe font cache memory 2706 is being referred to.

After that, reading of the rasterized font data 3 (2111) from “Address3” indicated by the storage address of the data entry 2105 in the fontcache management table 2100 is started. The tile vector data 2718 israsterized. When reading of the rasterized font data 3 (2111) is ended,the previously set flag corresponding to the data entry 2105 of the lockflag register 2709 is cleared to “0”, thereby indicating that referenceto the font cache memory 2706 is ended.

The μRIP 18 d receives the tile vector data 2719. The tile vector data2719 contains a character

. The μRIP 18 d searches the font cache management table 2100 forcharacter identification information and recognizes that

is not registered (recognizes “miss”).

In this case, since miss has occurred, the μRIP 18 d rasterizes thecharacter

. When the rasterization processing is ended, the rasterized font dataof the character

is registered in the font cache memory 2705. At this time, the μRIP 18 drefers to the lock flag register of the font cache management table2100. The μRIP 18 d operates to select rasterized font data to bereplaced from data without any flag set, i.e., data which are notreferred to by any μRIP. If the contents of the lock flag register arein the state shown in FIG. 28, the data entries 2103 and 2105 areexcluded from the replacement candidates.

With the above-described arrangement and operation of the font cache,when the plurality of sub image data rasterization units (μRIPs) are toexecute rasterization processing (conversion from vector data to bitmapdata) in parallel, rasterized font data (font cache data) referred to bya sub image data rasterization unit has a set lock flag. The font datais not subjected to replacement and can therefore be protected reliably.

Lock flag registers are prepared for the respective μRIPs and cantherefore be operated independently. For this reason, they are excludedfrom factors that impede the parallel operation of the μRIPs. Inaddition, it is only necessary to prepare lock flag registers equal innumber to the μRIPs. Hence, the arrangement can be implemented by usinga small resource (e.g., memory) as compared to replacement protection bycounters based on the number of times of appearance.

In the sixth embodiment, the font cache is arranged on the local memory19 in the image data rasterization unit. However, the font cache may beformed on a system memory 5.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, when theplurality of sub image data rasterization units provided in the imagedata rasterization unit are to execute rasterization processing(conversion from vector data to bitmap data), font cache data referredto by each sub image data rasterization unit can be protected reliably.

According to this configuration, since the sub image data rasterizationunits can operate simultaneously (independently), the parallel operationof image data rasterization processing is not impeded. In addition,since it is only necessary to prepare registers equal in number to subimage data rasterization units that operate in parallel, independentlyof the number of times of appearance of a font, the memory utilizationcan be reduced.

Note that the present invention can be applied to an apparatuscomprising a single device or to system constituted by a plurality ofdevices.

Furthermore, the invention can be implemented by supplying a softwareprogram, which implements the functions of the foregoing embodiments,directly or indirectly to a system or apparatus, reading the suppliedprogram code with a computer of the system or apparatus, and thenexecuting the program code. In this case, so long as the system orapparatus has the functions of the program, the mode of implementationneed not rely upon a program.

Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention areimplemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer alsoimplements the present invention. In other words, the claims of thepresent invention also cover a computer program for the purpose ofimplementing the functions of the present invention.

In this case, so long as the system or apparatus has the functions ofthe program, the program may be executed in any form, such as an objectcode, a program executed by an interpreter, or scrip data supplied to anoperating system.

Example of storage media that can be used for supplying the program area floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, aCD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile type memorycard, a ROM, and a DVD (DVD-ROM and a DVD-R).

As for the method of supplying the program, a client computer can beconnected to a website on the Internet using a browser of the clientcomputer, and the computer program of the present invention or anautomatically-installable compressed file of the program can bedownloaded to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Further, theprogram of the present invention can be supplied by dividing the programcode constituting the program into a plurality of files and downloadingthe files from different websites. In other words, a WWW (World WideWeb) server that downloads, to multiple users, the program files thatimplement the functions of the present invention by computer is alsocovered by the claims of the present invention.

It is also possible to encrypt and store the program of the presentinvention on a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distribute the storagemedium to users, allow users who meet certain requirements to downloaddecryption key information from a website via the Internet, and allowthese users to decrypt the encrypted program by using the keyinformation, whereby the program is installed in the user computer.

Besides the cases where the aforementioned functions according to theembodiments are implemented by executing the read program by computer,an operating system or the like running on the computer may perform allor a part of the actual processing so that the functions of theforegoing embodiments can be implemented by this processing.

Furthermore, after the program read from the storage medium is writtento a function expansion board inserted into the computer or to a memoryprovided in a function expansion unit connected to the computer, a CPUor the like mounted on the function expansion board or functionexpansion unit performs all or a part of the actual processing so thatthe functions of the foregoing embodiments can be implemented by thisprocessing.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present inventioncan be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificembodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all modifications, equivalent structures and functions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Application No.2005-157607, filed May 30, 2005, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

1. An image processing apparatus for executing processing for inputimage data, comprising: input means for inputting image data; outputmeans for outputting the image data; first conversion means forconverting raster image data into block vector image data correspondingto blocks each having a predetermined size by segmenting the rasterimage data into the blocks with the predetermined size and executingvectorization processing; storage means for storing the block vectorimage data; rasterization means for rasterizing the block vector imagedata into the raster image data; and image data transfer control meansfor controlling transfer of the image data as a processing target in theapparatus so as to cause said first conversion means to convert theraster image data input from said input means into the block vectorimage data, cause said storage means to store the converted block vectorimage data, and cause said output means to output the raster image dataobtained by causing said rasterization means to rasterize the blockvector image data stored in said storage means.
 2. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising second conversion means forconverting page vector image data into block vector image datacorresponding to blocks each having a predetermined size, wherein saidimage data transfer control means controls transfer of the image data asthe processing target in the apparatus so as to cause said firstconversion means to execute conversion to the block vector image datawhen the image data input from said input means is raster image data,cause said second conversion means to execute conversion to the blockvector image data when the image data input from said input means ispage vector image data, cause said storage means to store the blockvector image data converted by using one of said first conversion meansand said second conversion means, and cause said output means to outputthe raster image data obtained by executing said rasterization means forthe block vector image data stored in said storage means.
 3. Theapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising third conversionmeans for converting block vector image data corresponding to one pageinto page vector image data representing the whole page, wherein saidimage data transfer control means controls transfer of the image data asthe processing target in the apparatus so as to cause said output meansto output raster image data obtained by executing said rasterizationmeans for the block vector image data stored in said storage means whenit is determined that a format of the image data to be output from saidoutput means is a raster image data format, and cause said output meansto output page vector image data obtained by executing said thirdconversion means for the block vector image data stored in said storagemeans when it is determined that the format of the image data to beoutput from said output means is a vector image data format.
 4. Theapparatus according to claim 2, wherein said input means includes animage processing unit which inputs raster image data from a scannerunit, and an interface which inputs page vector image data transmittedfrom an external device.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid output means includes an image processing unit which outputs theraster image data to a printer unit.
 6. The apparatus according to claim3, wherein said output means includes an interface unit which outputsthe page vector image data to an external device.
 7. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said image data transfer control meanscomprises bus arbitration means, connected to each of said means througha bus, for executing arbitration control of the bus to be used totransfer the image data as the processing target in accordance with theimage data as the processing target.
 8. The apparatus according to claim1, wherein said image data transfer control means controls transfer ofthe image data as the processing target in the apparatus so as to store,in said storage means in advance, the block vector image data generatedby said first conversion means and page vector image data correspondingto the block vector image data in association with each other.
 9. Theapparatus according to claim 2, wherein in converting the page vectorimage data containing a curve object into the block vector image datacorresponding to the blocks having the predetermined size, said secondconversion means comprises: calculation means for calculating a convexpolygon including the curve object; evaluation means for evaluatingwhether the convex polygon calculated by said calculation means crossesa side of a block of interest; intersection point calculation means forcalculating an intersection point between the curve object and a side ofinterest of the block of interest on the basis of an evaluation resultof said evaluation means; and segmentation means for segmenting thecurve object into blocks on the basis of the intersection pointcalculated by said intersection point calculation means.
 10. Theapparatus according to claim 2, wherein in converting the page vectorimage data containing an image object into the block vector image databy segmenting the page vector image data into the blocks having thepredetermined size, said second conversion means comprises: comparisonmeans for comparing a resolution of the image object with apredetermined resolution; first segmentation means for segmenting theimage object extending over a plurality of blocks at each block boundaryof the plurality of blocks when the resolution of the image object isnot more than the predetermined resolution as a result of comparison bysaid comparison means; and second segmentation means for segmenting theimage object extending over a plurality of blocks so that a part of theimage object beyond each block boundary of the plurality of blockspartially overlaps when the resolution of the image object is higherthan the predetermined resolution as the result of comparison by saidcomparison means.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein saidrasterization means 1) rasterizes the block vector image data intoraster image data by using a first interpolation method of interpolatingthe image object on the basis of a pixel of interest of the image objectincluded in the block vector image data when the block vector image dataas the processing target is segmented by said first segmentation means,and 2) rasterizes the block vector image data into raster image data byusing a second interpolation method of interpolating the image object onthe basis of a pixel of interest and a neighboring pixel of the imageobject included in the block vector image data when the block vectorimage data as the processing target is segmented by said secondsegmentation means.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein thepredetermined resolution is a resolution of the raster image datagenerated by said rasterization means.
 13. The apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising write control means for controlling write ofthe block vector image data in said storage means, wherein when theblock vector image data contains an object, said write control meansexecutes the write of the block vector image data of a block containingthe object in said storage means, and when the block vector image datacontains no object, said write control means inhibits the write of theblock vector image data of a block containing no object in said storagemeans.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said writecontrol means generates a block management table in which blockidentification information to identify a position of the block vectorimage data as the processing target and object identificationinformation indicating presence/absence of an object in the block vectorimage data are managed for each block and controls the write of theblock vector image data as the processing target in said storage meansby looking up the block management table.
 15. The apparatus according toclaim 14, further comprising: setting means for setting set blockidentification information indicating a position of block vector imagedata as a read target from said storage means; read means for readingout block identification information of block vector image data whichexists in said storage means; comparison means for comparing the setblock identification information set by said setting means with the readblock identification information read out by said read means; andgeneration means for generating the block vector image data on the basisof a comparison result of said comparison means, wherein when the setblock identification information and the read block identificationinformation are discontinuous as the result of comparison by saidcomparison means, said generation means generates block vector imagedata containing no object corresponding to the discontinuous part. 16.The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rasterization meansincludes a plurality of sub rasterization units to process a pluralityof block vector image data in parallel.
 17. The apparatus according toclaim 16, wherein said rasterization means comprises a font cache unitcommon to said plurality of sub rasterization units, said font cacheunit comprising a font cache memory, and a lock flag register to store alock flag representing that each of said plurality of sub rasterizationunits is referring to said font cache memory.
 18. The apparatusaccording to claim 17, wherein when rasterized font data correspondingto font data contained in the block vector image data as the processingtarget in said sub rasterization unit is present in said font cacheunit, said rasterization means sets the lock flag of a correspondinglock flag register, and when read of the rasterized font data is ended,said rasterization means clears the lock flag.
 19. The apparatusaccording to claim 18, wherein in causing said sub rasterization unit torasterize font data as a rasterization target into raster data, if saidfont cache memory has no free space to rasterize the raster data, saidrasterization means replaces the rasterized font data on said font cachememory without no lock flag set in the lock flag register with the fontdata as the rasterization target.
 20. The apparatus according to claim17, wherein a control signal line to control a corresponding lock flagregister is connected to each of said plurality of sub rasterizationunits.
 21. A control method of an image processing apparatus forexecuting processing for input image data, comprising: a firstconversion step of converting raster image data into block vector imagedata corresponding to blocks each having a predetermined size bysegmentation into the blocks with the predetermined size andvectorization processing; a storage step of storing the block vectorimage data in storage means; a rasterization step of rasterizing theblock vector image data into the raster image data; and an image datatransfer control step of controlling transfer of the image data as aprocessing target in the apparatus so as to convert the input rasterimage data into the block vector image data in the first conversionstep, cause the storage means to store the converted block vector imagedata, and cause an output unit to output the raster image data obtainedby rasterizing, in the rasterization step, the block vector image datastored in the storage means.
 22. The method according to claim 21,further comprising a second conversion step of converting page vectorimage data into block vector image data corresponding to blocks eachhaving a predetermined size, wherein in the image data transfer controlstep, transfer of the image data as the processing target in theapparatus is controlled so as to execute conversion to the block vectorimage data in the first conversion step when the input image data israster image data, execute conversion to the block vector image data inthe second conversion step when the input image data is page vectorimage data, cause the storage means to store the block vector image dataconverted in one of the first conversion step and the second conversionstep, and cause the output unit to output the raster image data obtainedby executing the rasterization step for the block vector image datastored in the storage means.
 23. The method according to claim 21,further comprising a third conversion step of converting block vectorimage data corresponding to one page into page vector image datarepresenting the whole page, wherein in the image data transfer controlstep, transfer of the image data as the processing target in theapparatus is controlled so as to cause the output unit to output rasterimage data obtained by executing the rasterization step for the blockvector image data stored in the storage means when it is determined thata format of the image data to be output from the output unit is a rasterimage data format, and cause the output unit to output page vector imagedata obtained by executing the third conversion step for the blockvector image data stored in the storage means when it is determined thatthe format of the image data to be output from the output unit is avector image data format.
 24. A program which causes a computer toexecute control of an image processing apparatus for executingprocessing for input image data, characterized by causing the computerto execute: a first conversion step of converting raster image data intoblock vector image data corresponding to blocks each having apredetermined size by segmentation into the blocks with thepredetermined size and vectorization processing; a storage step ofstoring the block vector image data in storage means; a rasterizationstep of rasterizing the block vector image data into the raster imagedata; and a control step of executing control so as to convert the inputraster image data into the block vector image data in the firstconversion step, cause the storage means to store the converted blockvector image data, and cause an output unit to output the raster imagedata obtained by rasterizing, in the rasterization step, the blockvector image data stored in the storage means.
 25. The program accordingto claim 24, further comprising a second conversion step of convertingpage vector image data into block vector image data corresponding toblocks each having a predetermined size, wherein in the control step,control is executed so as to execute conversion to the block vectorimage data in the first conversion step when the input image data israster image data, execute conversion to the block vector image data inthe second conversion step when the input image data is page vectorimage data, cause the storage means to store the block vector image dataconverted in one of the first conversion step and the second conversionstep, and cause the output unit to output the raster image data obtainedby executing the rasterization step for the block vector image datastored in the storage means.
 26. The program according to claim 24,further comprising a third conversion step of converting block vectorimage data corresponding to one page into page vector image datarepresenting the whole page, wherein in the control step, control isexecuted so as to cause the output unit to output raster image dataobtained by executing the rasterization step for the block vector imagedata stored in the storage means when it is determined that a format ofthe image data to be output from the output unit is a raster image dataformat, and cause the output unit to output page vector image dataobtained by executing the third conversion step for the block vectorimage data stored in the storage means when it is determined that theformat of the image data to be output from the output unit is a vectorimage data format.
 27. An image processing apparatus for executingprocessing for input image data, comprising: input means for inputtingimage data; output means for outputting the image data; secondconversion means for converting page vector image data into block vectorimage data corresponding to blocks each having a predetermined size;storage means for storing the block vector image data; rasterizationmeans for rasterizing the block vector image data into the raster imagedata, wherein said rasterization means comprises a plurality ofsub-rasterization means which execute in parallel to rasterize the blockvector image data into block raster image data; and image data transfercontrol means for controlling transfer of the image data as a processingtarget in the apparatus so as to cause said second conversion means toconvert the page vector image data input from said input means into theblock vector image data, cause said storage means to store the convertedblock vector image data, and cause said output means to output theraster image data obtained by causing said rasterization means torasterize the block vector image data stored in said storage means. 28.A control method of an image processing apparatus for executingprocessing for input image data, comprising: a second conversion step ofconverting input page vector image data into block vector image datacorresponding to blocks each having a predetermined size; a storage stepof storing the block vector image data in storage means; a rasterizationstep of rasterizing the block vector image data into the raster imagedata, wherein said rasterization step comprises a plurality ofsub-rasterization steps which execute in parallel to rasterize the blockvector image data into block raster image data; and an image datatransfer control step of controlling transfer of the image data as aprocessing target in the apparatus so as to convert the input pagevector image data into the block vector image data in the secondconversion step, cause the storage means to store the converted blockvector image data, and cause an output unit to output the raster imagedata obtained by rasterizing, in the rasterization step, the blockvector image data stored in the storage means.
 29. A program whichcauses a computer to execute control of an image processing apparatusfor executing processing for input image data, characterized by causingthe computer to execute: a second conversion step of converting inputpage vector image data into block vector image data corresponding toblocks each having a predetermined size; a storage step of storing theblock vector image data in storage means; a rasterization step ofrasterizing the block vector image data into the raster image data,wherein said rasterization step comprises a plurality ofsub-rasterization steps which execute in parallel to rasterize the blockvector image data into block raster image data; and a control step ofexecuting control so as to convert the input page vector image data intothe block vector image data in the second conversion step, cause thestorage means to store the converted block vector image data, and causean output unit to output the raster image data obtained by rasterizing,in the rasterization step, the block vector image data stored in thestorage means.
 30. An image processing apparatus for processing inputimage data, comprising: input means for inputting image data, wherein aformat of the image data is any one of a page raster format and a pagevector format; first conversion means for converting the image data ofthe page raster format into image data of block vector format when theformat of the input image data is the page raster format; secondconversion means for converting the image data of the page vector formatinto image data of block vector format when the format of the inputimage data is the page vector format; storage means for storing theimage data of the block vector format converted by said first conversionmeans and said second conversion means; and output means for executingpredetermined processing for the image data of the block vector formatstored in said storage means and outputting the image data which hasundergone the predetermined processing.
 31. A control method of an imageprocessing apparatus for processing input image data, comprising: aninput step of inputting image data, wherein a format of the image datais any one of a page raster format and a page vector format; a firstconversion step of converting the image data of the page raster formatinto image data of the block vector format when the format of the inputimage data image data is the page raster format; a second conversionstep of converting the image data of the page vector format into imagedata of the block vector format when the format of the input image datais the page vector format; a storage step of storing, in storage means,image data of the block vector format converted in the first conversionstep and said second conversion step; and an output step of executingpredetermined processing for the image data of the block vector formatstored in the storage means and outputting the image data which hasundergone the predetermined processing.
 32. A program which causes acomputer to execute control of an image processing apparatus forprocessing input image data, characterized by causing the computer toexecute: an input step of inputting image data, wherein a format of theimage data is any one of a page raster format and a page vector format;a first conversion step of converting the image data of the page rasterformat into image data of block vector format when the format of theinput image data is the page raster format; a second conversion step ofconverting the image data of the page vector format into image data ofblock vector format when the format of the input image data is the pagevector format; a storage step of storing, in storage means, image dataof the block vector format converted in the first conversion step andsaid second conversion step; and an output step of executingpredetermined processing for the image data of the block vector formatstored in the storage means and outputting the image data which hasundergone the predetermined processing.